RAMACHANDRAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appeal is filed against the conviction and sentence entered against the appellant (accused) by the Sessions Judge, Palghat in S.C. 58/1980. The appellant was found guilty under Section 302 of the I.P.C. and he was convicted and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life.

(2.) The prosecution case is that Devaki Antherjanam, a widow was residing alone at Kizhakkekalam in Trippalamunda amsom and that accused who is one of the sons of Kesavan Namboodiri (brother-in-law of the deceased) went to her house on 19-6-1980 at about 9 a.m. and inflicted injury on her head with a chopper resulting in her death. Immediately after the incident, accused confessed to P.W. 1 that he committed the murder of Devaki Antherjanam. P.W. 1 went to the police station and lodged the first information statement. Accused who went to the police station was arrested by P.W. 18, Sub Inspector. P.W. 18 took the accused to his house and as pointed out by him M.O. 8 thorthu was seized. P.W. 19, Circle Inspector verified the investigation done by P.W. 18 and also interrogated witnesses. P.W. 17 prepared the plan Ext. P. 11. P.W. 15 conducted the autopsy and issued Ext. P7 post-mortem certificate. P.W. 16, Addl. Judicial Magistrate of the first class, Palghat recorded the confession of the accused.

(3.) On the prosecution side P.Ws. 1 to 19 were examined, Exts. P1 to P13 marked and M.Os. 1 to 10 were identified. On the defence side, D.Ws. 1 to 3 were examined and Ext. D1 marked.