JUDGMENT :

Rakesh Kainthla, J.

The present appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction dated 21.3.2024 and order of sentence dated 27.3.2024, passed by learned Sessions Judge, Chamba, District Chamba, H.P., (learned Trial Court), vide which the appellant (accused before learned Trial Court) was convicted of the commission of an offence punishable under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years, pay a fine of Rs.25,000/- and in default of payment of fine, to undergo further simple imprisonment for one year. (Parties shall hereinafter be referred to in the same manner as they were arrayed before the learned Trial Court for convenience.)

2. Briefly stated, the facts giving rise to the present appeal are that the police presented a challan against the accused before the learned Trial Court for the commission of offences punishable under Sections 307, 324 and 326 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). It was asserted that the informant/victim Rani Begum (PW1) is the wife of the accused. Three children were born to her. They were married and settled. The informant and accused were residing together in the house. She was watc