Shiv Kumar Sharma, J.-Appellant Ramanand was the accused on the file of learned Additional Sessions Judge Neem Ka Thana District Sikar in Sessions Case No. 62/2000. Learned Judge vide Judgment dated 112.2001 convicted and sentenced the appellant as under:-

Under Section 302, IPC:

To suffer imprisonment for life and fine of Rs. 22,000/-, in default to further suffer two years simple imprisonment.

Under Section 201, IPC:

To suffer simple imprisonment for three years and fine of Rs. 3,000/-, in default to further suffer

three months simple imprisonment.

Substantive sentences were directed to run concurrently.

Five co-accused persons, who were family members of the appellant, were however acquitted.

2. It is the prosecution case that in the afternoon of 21.09.2000 Anita, who got married with the appellant some 10 years back, alongwith her daughter Ekta aged one and a half year were burnt to death in the residential house of the appellant. A written report (Exhibit P-2) was submitted at Police Station Patan by Rakesh Agrawal (PW 2), brother of Anita, on 22.09.2000 at 6.15 AM. Case under Section 302, IPC was registered and investigation commenced. After usual investigation