VENKATARAJ Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant stand convicted by the Court of Session, Coimbatore Division at Coimbatore, in Sessions Case No.184 of 1982 under section 302, Indian Penal Code, 1860, on the accusation that on 6.10.1982, at about 9.15 p.m., just at the front door of his house in Thattan Thottam, Tirupur Town, he committed the murder of his wife Padmavathi by attacking her with an aruvalmanai (vegetable cutter).

(2.) The case of the prosecution is this: The deceased Padmavathi was the wife of the accused and the younger sister of P.W.1. At the time of this occurrence, the deceased and the accused had a 1 1/2 year old daughter. They were married about four years ago, and the accused was doing business in clothes. He suffered loss in the business and frequently insisted upon his wife getting money from her brother P.W.1. On 6.10.1982, at about 11.00 a.m. the deceased went to her brother and asked for money and P.W.1 promised to give money in the evening. At about 8.30 p.m. P.W.1 went to the house of his sister and at that time the accused was not there. At about 9.00 p.m., the accused came and picked up quarrel with his wife. He suspected the fidelity of his wife and abused her in filthy words. P.W.1 pacified his brother-in-law and told him that the matter could be talked over on the next morning. So saying, he left the house and was returning. He then heard the cry 'Ayyo' and when he turned, he found the accused attack his wife with M.O.1 aruvalmanai. saying He delivered on her head four or five cuts with M.O.1, dropped it and went away. P.W.1, who witnessed this ghastly occurrence, stood stunned. At that time, P.W.2 the land-lady was sitting there.

(3.) P.W.3, who lives on the rear side of the house of the deceased, came there on hearing the cry and she was informed of the occurrence by P.W.2.With the help of one Anandan, an ambulance was brought at 11.00 p.m. and the injured Padmavathi was taken to the Government Hospital, Tiruppur, where she was admitted at 12.35 a.m.