SATISH KUMAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) IN Sessions Case No. 32/91 by the Judgment and Order dated 26th May/7t June 1993 the appellant was convicted under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for having murdered his wife Geeta and sentenced to imprisonment for life. He appeals against his conviction.

(2.) THE prosecution case against the appellant is that between 1. 30 p. m. on 14th December 1990 to 8. 30a. m. on 15th December 1990 in Room No. 204 of Hotel Four Pillars, Panaji, Goa he intentionally caused the death by strangulating his wife Geeta and quietly left for Bombay by bus in the afternoon of 15th December 1990.

(3.) PROSECUTION case unfolded suggests that the appellant and his wife Geeta arrived from Bangalore at Panaji, Goa on the morning of 14th December 1990 and sought a room at Tourist Hostel run by the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. As the Tourist Hostel could not accommodate the couple the same Hostel arranged a room at the hotel known as Four Pillars by accepting an advance rent of Rs. 150/- under a receipt. The couple accordingly checked in Hotel Four Pillars upon allotment of room No. 204. The couple was last seen in the hotel for service of tea about at about 11. 00 a. m. on that day. On the next morning at about 8. 30 the Receptionist complained to the owner that there was no answer from room No. 204. Police were alerted and when the door was opened with the help of some key, Geeta was found dead lying on the bed covered up - to the nock with white bed - sheet. The wheels of investigation started and upon assistance of Bangalore Police appellant was apprehended, at Malad, Bombay on 15th January 1991 in front of Dipa Cinema Theatre. Accordingly the appellant was taken in custody and handed over to Goa Police.