Arunachalam, J.

Dead body of Guruvammal, a resident of V.Kazhukachahpuram was found by her younger brother P.W.l A.Rajaperumal at or about 2 p.m. on 27. 1985, near a brook adjacent to Venkatachalapuram, with cut injuries on her neck and other parts of the body. Gold jewel M.O.5, which she normally used to wear, was also found missing from the dead body, though M.O.I series a pair of ear ornaments and M.O.2 series a pair of nose screws were found intact on the dead body.

2. Suspecting that appellant Pandiarajan must have caused the death of deceased Guruvammal and committed robbery of her gold chain (M.O.5), he was charged under Secs. 302 and 394, I.P.C., in S.C.No.61 of 1986 on the file of the II Additional Sessions Judge, Tirunelveli. After trial, he was found guilty of both the offences an&sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life for murder and 5 years rigorous imprisonment for having voluntarily caused hurt while committing robbery. Substantive sentences of imprisonment were directed to run concurrently.

3. P.W.6 Munisamy Nadar married deceased Guruvammal 21 years prior to occurrence and fathered a son Selvalingam (not examined). P.W.6 acquired property in his vil