RANJANA LAXMAN MUKHARJI Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is a case where accused No. 1 Ranjana-the wife of the victim, who claims to be "sati-Savitri" of Kaliyug, has challenged her conviction under section 302 read with section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, in which she, as accused No. 1, and her paramour, as accused No. 2, were sentenced to life and, for the reasons forthcoming, we have no hesitation to hold that this accused No. 1, the so called "sati-Savitri", was responsible and behind the gruesome and brutal murder of her husband with the help of accused No. 2.

(2.) HEARD Mr. More for accused No. 1. So far as accused No. 2 is concerned, he has filed Criminal Appeal No. 600 of 1997. Though the matter was heard continuously for 3-4 days, accused No. 2 was absent right from the beginning. We, therefore, appointed Advocate Mr. A. V. Shetye for accused No. 2 to assist the Court. He took pains to go through the record and made his submissions which were mostly in conformity with the submissions made by Mr. More. We have also heard learned A. P. P. for the State/respondent.

(3.) ACCUSED No. 1 Ranjana Laxman Mukharji is the wife of deceased Laxman Shivappa Mukharji. Accused No. 2 Karim Ajij Chabukswar is her paramour and both of them are alleged to have murdered Laxman Shivappa Mukharji on the night intervening between 29th September, 1995 and 30th September, 1995.