SANOOP Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been preferred by the appellant Sanoop, who is the 2nd accused in S.C. 110 of 2011, challenging the verdict of 4th Additional Sessions Judge, Thrissur dated 16/06/2015. Altogether there were four accused out of which two were juveniles and their case was considered by Juvenile Justice Board. By the impugned judgment he was found guilty for offence under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC') and was sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.5,000/- (Rupees Five Thousand only) with a default stipulation of imprisonment for three months for the said offence. 1st accused (for short 'A1') who is not before us in appeal in this case is also sentenced for the same offence with the same punishment.

(2.) Prosecution case is as follows:

(3.) To prove allegations against accused, prosecution examined PW1 to PW12 as witnesses, Exts.P1 to P20 documents were marked and MO1 to MO5 were identified. After closure of prosecution evidence, accused were questioned under Section 313 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short 'Cr.P.C.'). They denied allegations and evidence appearing against them. PW10 was recalled by the defence and further cross-examined. No other evidence is adduced from the side of defence.