This appeal has been preferred by the State against the acquittal of the respondent by the Munsiff-Magistrate, Perambra, on a trial for an offence under section 380, Indian Penal Code. The case of the prosecution was, that at 7-30 p.m. on the 25th July, 1964, when P.W. 2 was standing near an outer-window of her house, the accused standing outside, suddenly put his hand through the widow, snatched a part of the gold chain which she was wearing on her neck and disappeared with it. The rest of the chain fell into her blouse. She reported the incident to her father P.W. 1, when he came home later in the night. He preferred a complaint, Exhibit P-1 to P.W. 6, the Sub-Inspector of Police, Perambra, on the next morning. During investigation P.W. 6 seized the remaining part of the chain and blouse into which it fell. On the 27th July, on suspicion, the accused was traced and was found in a paddy field in front of the shop of P.W. 8; he was then arrested. He then told P.W. 6, that he had buried the chain near the southern boundary of Kariyottu Paramba from where it was recovered under Exhibit P-5 seizure list. The statement the accused made to P.W. 6, is recorded in Exhibit