The cumulative nature of multiple severe injuries inflicted by the accused established intent to kill, leading to a conviction for murder, affirming that the delayed death does not break the causal chain.

JUDGMENT

Raja Vijayaraghavan, J.

This appeal is filed challenging the judgment dated 20.12.2019 in S.C. No. 1161 of 2017 on the files of the Additional Sessions Court, Kottarakkara. This is a case of matricide, and the appellant is the sole accused who was convicted by the learned Sessions Judge for committing offences punishable under Sections 302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code.

2. The appellant herein stands charged for the offence under Sections 302 and 201 of the IPC for committing the offence of matricide and causing the disappearance of evidence.

3. Radha, a 65-year-old woman, the mother of the appellant, was residing at Palonam in Kadakkal along with the appellant’s wife (PW4) and his two children. The appellant used to regularly pick up quarrels with his mother and wife, which often led to physical violence, due to which the wife and children were living separately at a place called Kunnikode. The prosecution alleges that on 20.05.2017, the appellant, in an inebriated state, started to torture his mother. At about 4:00 p.m., while his mother was standing in the northern courtyard of her house, he attacked her with a rubber tree stick and caused injuries. After inflicting injuries, he dragged her to the house and deserted her. It is alleged that he later burned the stick he had used, as it bore the blood stains of his mother. She was left unattended without medical care for about 8 days. On 28.05.2017, as Radha was found lying in a comatose state, the appellant called Anju (PW4) for assistance, and they took Radha to the Kadakkal Taluk Hospital. Radha was seen by PW9, the Casualty Medical Officer, who, after providing first aid, referred her to the Medical College Hospital (“MCH”), Thiruvananthapuram. She was seen by the Head of the Department and Professor (Medicine), MCH, Thiruvananthapuram. He noted numerous injuries on the body of the deceased. The next day, Radha succumbed to the injuries.

4. At 10:00 a.m., on 29.05.2017, PW15, the Sub Inspector of Police, Kadakkal Police Station, recorded the statement of Latha (PW1), a Member of the Kadakkal Grama Panchayat and registered Ext.P17 FIR under Section 174 of the Cr.P.C. The Member expressed doubt with regard to the cause of death of Radha.

5. Dr. Seena (PW13), the Assistant Professor and Assistant Police Surgeon, Department of Forensic Medicine, MCH, Thiruvananthapuram, conducted the postmortem and issued Ext.P13 Postmortem Certificate. She noted as many as 22 injuries on the body of Radha, which include healing wounds, contusions, abrasions and subarachnoid haemorrhage. On the basis of the findings in the post-mortem report, Ext.P18 report was submitted, incorporating Section 302 of the IPC.

6. Investigation was then taken over by Sani S. (PW16), the Grade Inspector of the Kadakkal Police Station. He recorded the statements of the neighbours and prepared Ext.P9 Scene Mahazar. On 29.05.2017, at 7:30 p.m., the appellant was arrested as per Ext.P19 arrest memo. Ext.P23 report was submitted before the jurisdictional Magistrate, incorporating Sections 341, 324 and 201 of the IPC. On interrogating the accused, he is alleged to have disclosed that the stick which was used for inflicting the injuries was burned and though an attempt was made to collect the remnants, it did not yield any result. After concluding the investigation, the final report was laid before the jurisdictional Magistrate.

7. After initiating the committal proceedings in accordance with law, the case was committed to the Court of Session, from where the case was made over to the Additional Sessions Judge, Kottarakkara.

8. On the accused appearing before the Court, after following th