RANJITH KUMAR AND NEDUMARAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants two in number have challenged the judgment of the Court of the Additional Sessions Judge/Special Judge, Thanjavur dated 22.11.2004 made in S.C. No. 68/2004 whereby the appellants/accused found guilty under Sections 450 and 302 IPC. The first accused was awarded life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 2,000/-, in default, to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment under Section 302 IPC. Similarly, the second accused was also awarded life imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 2,000/-, in default, to undergo two years rigorous imprisonment under Section 302 IPC r/w 34 IPC. Further, both the accused were awarded two years rigorous imprisonment along with a fine of Rs. 1,000/-, in default to undergo three months rigorous imprisonment under Section 450 IPC. The sentences were directed to run concurrently and the period of imprisonment already undergone by the accused were given to be set off.

(2.) The brief facts necessary for the disposal of the appeal can be stated thus:

(3.) In order to substantiate the charges levelled against the accused, the prosecution examined 21 witnesses, marked 28 documents and 6 MOs. On completion of the evidence on the side of the prosecution, the accused were questioned under Section 313 Crl.P.C. as to the incriminating circumstances found in the evidence of the prosecution witnesses. Both the accused denied them as false. No defence witness was examined. After hearing the arguments advanced by both sides, the trial Judge found the appellants/accused guilty as referred to above. Hence, this appeal at the instance of the appellants/accused.