P. Bhavadasan, J.

1. The accused in this case, who was prosecuted for the offences punishable under Section 511 of Section 376, 394, 397 and 302 Indian Penal Code, was found guilty of the offence punishable under Sections 394, 397 and 302 I.P.C. He was therefore convicted and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life for the offence under Section 302 IPC and to pay a fine of Rs.10,000/-, in default of payment of which to undergo simple imprisonment for a further period of six months. He was also sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay fine of Rs.5,000/-, in default of payment of which to suffer simple imprisonment for a further period of two months for the offence under Section 394 IPC read with Section 397 IPC.

2. Minimol, the victim, was little aware of what the fate had in store for her when she set out for work as usual on 6.9.2002. She was working as a Nurse at Santhi Hospital Pazhayannur. Minimol, her brother P.W.1, their mother and P.W.2, wife of P.W.1 with their children were residing together at a place called Adakkode in Pulakkode Village. Accused was their neighbour. Minimol, in order to reach her place of employment used to start from