RAJA GOPAL Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal arises out of the verdict of conviction in S.C. No. 165 of 2008 dated 17.12.2008 on the file of the First Additional Sessions Judge (PCR), Tiruchirappalli convicting the appellant-accused under Section 302 IPC and sentencing him to undergo life imprisonment and also imposing fine.

(2.) Briefly stated case of prosecution is as follows: P.W.1-Chandrasekaran has been working as Receptionist in S.N. Tower Lodge at Srirangam. A person who occupies the room has to sign the ledger in the presence of P.W.1 -Receptionist. On 15/12/2003, one male and female booked the room and Room No. 106 was allotted to them. P.W.1 identified the Accused-Rajagopal as the person who occupied Room No. 106 on 15/12/2003. Accused has mentioned his name as Jeniffer and filled the ledger. P.W.1 saw them coming out of the Room two or three times. His duty time was from 9.00 p.m., to 9.00 a.m.,. On 16/12/2003, the Room was not vacated and the occupants continued to stay in the Room. On 16/12/2003, P. W.1 came to the work and when he went to the Room No. 106 at 9.30 p.m., he found the room locked. The person who occupied the Room had paid only Rs. 300.00 as advance. Room rent for one room was Rs. 190.00 per day. Since occupants continued to occupy the Room and fresh advance had to be paid, P.W.1's owner permitted him to open the Room with duplicate key. On opening the Room, P.W.1 found a body of the lady who came along with the accused. After informing his owner, P.W.1 informed the police and the Police came to the occurrence place. P.W.3-Muthu (Room boy) has also identified the accused as the one who occupied Room No. 106.

(3.) P.W.I went to Srirangam Police Station and lodged Exhibit P-l-Complaint at 7.15 a.m., on 17/12/2003. On the basis of Exhibit P-1, the Sub-Inspector of Police, Pandian, registered the case in Crime No. 835 of 2003 un-der Section 174 Cr.P.C. Exhibit P-14 is the F.I.R.