P.N. Prakash, J.

The Reference, R.T.No.1 of 2015 is made by the learned III Additional District and Sessions Judge, Tiruvallur @ Poonamallee, under Section 366 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, seeking confirmation of the capital punishment imposed upon K.Ramajayam @ Appu, the sole accused, by Judgment dated 21.1.2015 in S.C.No.142 of 2013. The accused has independently preferred Crl.A.No.110 of 2015, challenging the conviction and sentence.

2. The case of the Prosecution culled out from the materials on record is as follows:

(a) Dhanaram (PW-1) and his deceased younger brother Gunaram were running a Pawn Broking & Jewellery Shop in the name and style of 'Balaji Pawn Brokers' at No.1, 13th Street, Sakthi Nagar, the place of occurrence.

(b) On 14.4.2012, the deceased Gunaram opened the shop around 8.00 a.m. At about 9.00 a.m. Dhanaram (PW-1) came there and after being there for some time, he left for other work. When he returned to the shop around 12.00 noon, he was shocked to see