SIRIMALLA VEERANJANEYULU Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Sole accused in Sessions Case No.284 of 2014 on the file of the learned XIII Additional Sessions Judge, Guntur, at Narasaraopet, preferred the present criminal appeal, aggrieved by the conviction and sentence imposed against him for the offence under Sec. 302 I.P.C., vide judgment dtd. 14/7/2015 passed in the said Sessions Case. The appellant/accused was tried for two charges, one under Sec. 498-A I.P.C. and the other under Sec. 302 I.P.C. While acquitting the appellant/accused for the offence under Sec. 498-A I.P.C, the learned Additional Sessions Judge convicted and sentenced the appellant/accused to undergo imprisonment for life and also to pay a fine of Rs.2,000.00 for the offence under Sec. 302 I.P.C.

(2.) Substance of the charge against the accused is that prior to 13/12/2012, he used to harass and ill-treat his wife by name Sirimalla Appamma (hereinafter referred to as 'the deceased') both physically and mentally, demanding her to get back certain land documents from her parents, and on 13/12/2012 at about 9.00 p.m, making the very same demand, he picked up a quarrel with the deceased, manhandled her, poured kerosene on her and set her on fire, causing her death and thereby committed offences under Ss. 498-A and 302 IPC.

(3.) Case of the prosecution, in brief, is as follows: