1. On 26.4.2018, when the case was called. It appears that none had appeared for the appellant and accordingly, this Court appointed Ms. Manjula Mukati as counsel for the appellant/amicus curiae. However, when the case was called for hearing on 2.8.2018, neither any counsel for the appellant nor even the amicus curiae appeared for the appellant. The appellant was granted bail by this Court by order dated 2.12.1999 and it appears that after obtaining the bail from this Court, the appellant is not interested in arguing the matter. Under these circumstances, this Court was left with no other option but to peruse the record on its own and to decide this appeal after hearing the Public Prosecutor. Accordingly, a detailed order in this regard was passed on 2.8.2018 and the case was reserved for judgment in the light of the law laid down by the Supreme Court in the case of Surya Baksh Singh Vs. State of Utter Pradesh, reported in (2014) 14 SCC 222.

2. This Criminal Appeal under Section 374 of Cr.P.C. has been filed against the judgment dated 13.5.1999 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Jaora, District Ratlam in S.T.No.15/1997, by which the appellant has been convicted under Sec