A.S.NEHRA, J.

1. This judgment will dispose of ( 1) Murder Reference No. 1 of 1993 (State of Punjab V/s. Hatchet Singh) and (2) Criminal Appeal No.162-DB of 1993 (Harchet Singh V/s. State of Punjab).

2. The Sessions Judge, Bathinda, tried Harchet Singh alias Chet Singh, accused-appellant, and convicted and sentenced him as followed :-

U /s 376, subsection (2)(f), IPC To undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.2000.00 and, in default of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for six months. U/s 302, IPC Sentenced to death and to pay a fine of Rs. 2000 / - and, in default of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for six months.

3. The record of the case has been sent to this Court for confirmation of the death sentence. Convict Harchet Singh alias Chet Singh has also preferred an appeal against his conviction and sentence passed by the Sessions Judge, Bathinda. Both these matters shall be disposed of by this order as these arise out of the same judgment of the trial Court.

4. Briefly stated, the case of the prosecution is as follows :-

Gurpal Singh P.W. 3 is a Lecturer in the Government College, Sunam. He along wit