K.C.Bhanu, J. - (1.)The accused in Sessions Case No. 787/2000 filed this appeal questioning the legality and correctness of the judgment of conviction and sentence, dated 13-4-2001, passed by the learned I Additional Sessions Judge, Warangal.
(2.)A charge under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code was framed against the accused for causing the death of his wife Putta Prema by hacking her with an axe on 9-4-1995. On appreciation of the evidence on record, the learned Sessions Judge convicted the accused and sentenced him to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 100/- and in default to suffer simple imprisonment for three months.
(3.)The Circle Inspector of Police, Ghanpur, who was examined as P.W. 12, filed a charge- sheet alleging that the marriage of the accused with the deceased took place about 15 years prior to the year 1995. They lived happily for ten years. They were blessed with a daughter. Thereafter the accused started suspecting the character of the deceased and used to harass her. In that connection, a "Panchayat" was held. The elders advised P.W. 1 the father of the deceased-to send the deceased to the house of the accused, but he declined to do so, on the ground that the accused would harass her. Then the accused informed the parents of the deceased that he would reside with them in their village. The accused and the deceased accordingly lived in the house of the parents of the deceased for six months. Thereafter, accused took a portion of the house of P.Ws. 4 and 5 on rent and put up his family therein. Three days thereafter i.e., on 9-4-1995 at 9 a.m. P.W. 4 heard the cries of the deceased and rushed to her portion of the house. She found the accused running away from the house. She saw the deceased lying at the main door in a pool of blood. She raised cries on hearing which P.Ws. 1 to 3 came there. They took the deceased to Dharmasagar Police Station on a cart. P.W. 1 lodged a report with the police. Ex.P-1 is the said report. The deceased was shifted to MGM Hospital, Warangal. On the same day the deceased succumbed to the injuries. On 10-4-1995, the Asst. Sub-Inspector of Police-P.W. 11-conducted inquest over the dead body of the deceased and sent the dead body for post-mortem examination. P.W. 10 conducted post-mortem examination and opined that the death of the deceased was on account of the head injury. Ex.P-4 is the post-mortem certificate issued by the Doctor. Later P.W. 12-Inspector of Police, took up further investigation. On completion of investigation, he filed the charge-sheet. On completion of investigation, he filed the charge-sheet. When the accused denied the charge under Section 302 IPC, Prosecution examined 12 witnesses and exhibited 8 documents. On assessment of the evidence on record, the learned Sessions Judge came to the conclusion that the Prosecution established its case beyond all reasonable doubt and accordingly convicted and sentenced the accused as aforesaid by his judgment dated 13-4-2001, against which the accused filed the present appeal.