(1.) A visit to the forest, while a narrow escape for two persons, turned fatal for another two. The genesis allegedly was greed, with the accused person wanting to take away jewellery to put to his use, but the end result was far worse. Two people who were in the prime of their youth were hastily and brutally made to meet their maker, well before they should have. This Court is now tasked with examining the correctness of guilt of the person (the appellant) who, according to the State, was responsible for this barbarity.
(2.) The present Appeal arises from the judgment and order dtd. 13/3/2019, in Referred Trial [MD] No.1 of 2018 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Madras, Madurai Bench, which, in turn, was preferred against the judgment dtd. 7/3/2018 in Special Sessions Case No.9 of 2013 passed by the Principal District and Sessions Judge, Theni, whereby the conviction of the Appellant under Sec. 302, 376 and 397 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860[Hereinafter referred to as "IPC"], came to be affirmed. The Trial Court imposed the death penalty on the Appellant-convict, which also came to be affirmed by the High Court.
(3.) The incident in question, relates to the unfortunate death of two young people. The prosecution case as emerging from the record, as also set out by the Courts below, is as follows: