1. The appellant Balagopal stands convicted by the learned First Additional Sessions Judge of Madras Division of offences punishable under two counts of S.302, I.P.C. for having on 14-1-1971 at about 12.15 P.M. at his house in the I.C.F. Colony committed the murders of this wife Padmavathy and his son Prasob by cutting them with a knife and has been sentenced to imprisonment for life under each count.

2. The appellant joined the Integral Coach Factory as a Peon and after some years of service he was promoted as materials clerk. He married Padmavathy, the only daughter of P.W. 16. The appellant and his wife were living at door No. 166/5, I.C.F. Colony. Padmavathy went to the house of her mother P.W. 16 for her second confinement, leaving her husband Balagopal at Madras. Subsequently after the birth of the second child, the appellant went to Tellichery to the house of his mother - in - law P.W. 16, stayed there for a week and returned with his wife and the child t