RANADHIR BASU Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant and one Krishnanendu Jana were tried for committing murders of Subhash Chandra Pal, his wife Sulekha Pal, father Davendra Mohan Pal and mother Latika Pal in the Court of Sessions Judge, Barasat, North 24 Parganas in Sessions Case No. 4(5) of 1993. The learned trial Judge held that the appellant committed the murders and Krish-nanendu aided and abetted the appellant in committing the offence. He accordingly convicted the appellant under Section 302 read with 120-B and 201, I.P.C. He convicted Krishnanendu under Sections 302 read with 109, I.P.C. He imposed death sentence on both of them.

(2.) Challenging their conviction and sentence the appellant and Krishnanendu filed separate appeals in the Calcutta High Court. The learned trial Jduge also made a reference to the High Court for confirmation of the death sentence. The appeals and the reference were heard together and were disposed of by a common judgment. The High Court confirmed the conviction and sentence of the appellant but gave benefit of doubt to Krishnanendu and acquitted him. As his conviction and sentence have been confirmed the appellant has filed this appeal challenging the same.

(3.) The prosecution version, as held proved by the evidence of PW-2 Sudipa, was as under: