ANANTANARAYANAN, J. :-This is an extraordinary case and, though the facts have been established beyond any element of reasonable doubt, we are constrained to comment upon certain of the psychological aspects of this case, with regard to the matter of sentences The appellant, Veluchami Thevar, married a certain Sundaravalli, P.W. 1, in October-November 1962. Ravi (deceased) was a friend of the appellant, and was employed along with him : he was a guest at the wedding. The record does not justify the slightest suspicion that Ravi (deceased) was really on terms of improper relationship with Sundaravalli, P.W. 1. Learned counsel acting as amicus curiae has drawn our attention to the fact that Sundaravalli, P.W. 1, had been previously married and divorced. But the appellant was perfectly aware of this, and divorce was sanctioned by the social standards of the community to which these persons belonged.

2. Very unfortunately, the appellant entertained powerful suspicions about the fidelity of his wife P.W. 1, in relation to Ravi (deceased). Thereafter, he seems to have behaved to P.W. 1 in a manner that shows that he abandoned all standards of humanity, and even decency, with rega