BELTING TYNGKRA Vs. STATE OF MEGHALAYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The aforesaid appeals are being decided together, since the challenge in both the appeals is to the judgment dtd. 28/3/2024 and the order of sentence dtd. 3/4/2024, passed by the learned Sessions Judge, West Jaintia Hills District, Jowai, in Sessions Case No.53 of 2014, convicting both the aforesaid appellants for the offence punishable under Sec. 302 read with Sec. 34 of the IPC and sentencing them to suffer rigorous imprisonment for life and to pay fine of Rs.5000.00 each. The learned Judge also recommended compensation of Rs.3,00,000.00 to the family of the deceased-Prodis Nongbah. This recommendation was forwarded to the District Legal Services Authority, West Jaintia Hills District for consideration.

(2.) At the outset, we may note that three accused i.e., the aforesaid appellants and one Chalbinal, were charged for the offences punishable under Sec. 302 read with Sec. 34 of the IPC. During the course of the trial, co-accused Chalbinal expired and as such, the trial proceeded only qua the appellants- Salbinal and Belting.

(3.) The prosecution case in brief is as under;