J U D G M E N T

Shaffique, J.

The accused in Sessions Case No.181/11 of the Additional District and Sessions Judge-V, Kollam is the appellant. He has been convicted and sentenced for offence u/s 201, 397 and 302 of I.P.C. and to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and fine of `5,000/- for offence u/s 201, rigorous imprisonment for 7 years for offence u/s 397 and imprisonment for life and fine of `20,000/- for the offence u/s 302 of I.P.C. along with default sentences as well. The accused had been convicted with reference to the murder of one Sukumari Amma. She was found strangulated using a plastic rope and the assailant made sure that she is dead by inflicting an injury on her neck with the handle of a spade. 6.5 sovereigns of gold chain, 5 sovereigns of gold bangles and a mobile phone of Nokia make were robbed. The value of articles robbed was `1,68,000/-. The prosecution also had a case that the assailant had attempted to destroy the evidence. Crime No.1251/10 came to be registered by the Station House Officer of Paravoor Police Station and during the investigation it was found that the appellant/accused had committed the offence and accordingly final report was filed b