( 1 ) APPELLANT has been convicted under Sections 302 and 498a, I. P. C. and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and rigorous imprisonment for three years respectively. The sentences have been directed to run concurrently.

( 2 ) THE substance of charge against the appellant is that he committed the murder of his wife, Razda Begum. They were married a few months before the occurrence. The appellant was always finding fault with his wife for not bringing enough dowry and uttering abuses at her and even assaulting her. On 10-6-1986 (10-7-86), the appellant took his wife from his house telling her that he would take her to Begum Gunj where her parents were residing and thereafter take her to Bhopal for a change. They had to reach Begum Gunj by walking through forest area. At about 9 p. m. , when they were inside the forest, he started abusing his wife and when she protested, he assaulted her with a farsa, a sharp edged weapon, and ran away. She fell down unconscious. Regaining consciousness the next morning, she slowly walked to Begum Gunj and reached her uncle's place at about 4 p. m. She informed her father P. W. 1, brother P. W. 2, sister P. W. 3 and others