R. Regupathi, J.

These Criminal Revision Appeals have been filed against the order of conviction and sentence dated 15/3/2005 passed in S.C.No.84 of 2004 by the Additional District and Sessions Judge-cum-Fast Track Court No.2, Tuticorin.

2. The learned trial Judge framed six charges against the accused under Sections 364, 328, 379, 302 (as against A.2), 302 r/w. 34 (against A.1) and under Section 201 IPC on the allegation that on 26/2/2002 at 7.00 a.m., both the accused who are masons by profession, took the deceased, who was working along with them as Assistant, from the residence in a two wheeler; both of them administered sleeping pills to the deceased by mixing the same in tea; on the deceased becoming unconscious, they removed her clothes and jewels worth Rs.11, 000/-; A.1 with the help of A.2, cut the deceased on the neck and caused her death and thereafter, both the accused in order to screen the offence, severed the hands and thrown the same in a water tank.

3. Initially, when the accused were questioned, they denied the commission of the offence and pleaded innocence. Therefore, the trial of the case was taken up. The prosecution, during the course of trial, examine