Per D.N. Patel, J.-This Cr. Appeal has been listed for its final hearing looking to the period of custody of this appellant. Last time when this matter was enlisted, counsel for the appellant was not present and this Cr. Appeal was adjourned for today. Today when the matter is called out, counsel for the appellant is again absent. Counsel for the appellant, namely Shri Shashank Shekhar, amicus curiae, was appointed by this Court by virtue of order dated 16th September, 2003 because this appeal was preferred from jail. Now because of his consistent absenteeism, we hereby appoint advocate Ms. Priya Shrestha, who is on the panel of Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority and who is present in this Court and ready to argue out the case; as an amicus curiae to assist the Court on behalf of the appellant.

2. Present appeal has been preferred by the appellant-accused against the judgment of conviction dated and order of sentence both dated 24th May, 2003 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Simdega in Sessions Trial No. 43 of 2001 whereby the present appellant-accused has been punished for an offence under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for life imprisonment with fine of