MURUGAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant is the sole accused in S.C.No.596 of 2015, on the file of the IV Additional District and Sessions Judge, Tirunelveli. The Trial Court framed as many as three charges, as detailed below.

(2.) By Judgment dated 22.09.2016, the Trial Court convicted the accused and sentenced him, as detailed below:-

(3.) The facts of the case lie a narrow compass:- The appellant, a shepherd and native of S.S.Puram in Tirunelveli District, was tending cattle in Kerala. He came to his native village on 12.02.2015, for harvesting the crops in his lands and stayed in his natal home with his brother and sister. At the request of his brother-in-law - Krishnan, he took around 300 goats to the lands belonging to his family for grazing. The goats strayed into the fields of the deceased - Esakkimmal and devoured the crops. On coming to know of this, the deceased saw the appellant on 25.02.2015, near the village temple and berated him for allowing his cattle to destroy her crops and made snide remark about the character of his wife.