BATTALA MANJUNATH Vs. STATE OF A.P.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The sole accused in S.C.No.99 of 209 on the file of the Additional District & Sessions Judge, (FAC) III Additional Sessions Judge, Nellore, is the appellant. He was accused of committing offences punishable under Sections 302 and 201 I.P.C. The trial Court found him guilty of both the offences and imposed the punishment of imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.1,000/- for the offence under Section 302 I.P.C. and imprisonment for seven years and fine of Rs.1,000/- for the offence under Section 201 I.P.C. Both the sentences were directed to run concurrently. Hence, this appeal.

(2.) The case of the prosecution was that one Mr.Raghukula Tilak Reddy, a bachelor, was doing Mining Mica business, and was residing in the first floor of a building at Lakshminarasimhapuram, Podalakur Road, Nellore Town. The accused was said to have been engaged as a domestic servant by him and that he too was living in the same residence.

(3.) In the early hours of 28.08.2006, the accused is said to have telephoned Shyamala, the elder sister of the deceased, residing at Hyderabad, informing that the deceased brought four bottles of Brandi in the preceding night, had consumed the same along with friends, and in the morning he found him dead on a Diwan Cot, with certain injuries. Shyamala is said to have informed the same to her sister at Nellore, by name, Mrudula, PW.1. It was alleged that before PW.1 and her husband, PW.2 left for the place of occurrence, they received a telephone call from PW.4, that he reached the spot and found Tilak Reddy, died with some injuries. PW.4 is also said to have informed PW.1 that the accused, who is present at the spot, was giving inconsistent answers about the cause of the death. PWs.1 and 2 are said to have proceeded to the spot, and thereafter, submitted a complaint, Ex.P.1 before I-Town Police Station, Nellore, and the same was registered as Crime No.177 of 2006.