RAGHAVAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant was tried, convicted and sentenced for uxoricide and for causing disappearance of evidence. The learned Sessions Judge found him guilty under Section 300 IPC and sentenced him under Section 302 IPC and also under Section 201 IPC. The prosecution case in short is that on 19.11.2009 at 7.30 pm, the appellant brutally assaulted his wife Chandrika with bamboo and areacanut sticks with an intention to kill her and also with the knowledge that by such act death would be the result. She suffered multiple injuries including fractures and succumbed to the injuries at about 10.30 pm on the same day. Thereafter, he hanged her body on a tree, which was about 40 metres away from their house so as to cause the disappearance of evidence and thereby committed the said offences. After committing the case to the Court of Sessions, the learned Sessions Judge framed charges for the aforementioned offences.

(2.) Ten witnesses were examined on the side of the prosecution and Exts.P1 to P15 and MO.s 1 to 11 were marked. After hearing the appellant under Section 313 Cr.P.C, he was afforded an opportunity to adduce defence evidence, which he did not avail of.

(3.) We heard Sri.Faridin A.S., the State Brief appointed in the matter and Smt.Praicy Joseph, the learned Public Prosecutor appearing for the State. Sri Faridin has ably defended the appellant.