UGGIRALA SURI BABU Vs. STATE OF A P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The conviction and sentence inflicted upon the appellant by the learned Sessions Judge, East Godavari, Rajahmundry by his judgment, dated 20.6.2000, in S.C. No.259 of 1998, are being sought to be assailed in the instant appeal.

(2.) The appellant is the sole accused. The gravamen of the charge against him was that on 9.5.1997, at about 6.30 p.m., at the house of one Chittoori Veerraju @ Veerababu at Bhadravaram Village, he did commit murder by causing the death of one Pulimanthula Surya Rao (deceased) by hacking him with a knife on both of his legs and shoulders, which resulted in his death on 20.5.1997 at about 5.00 p.m., while he was in the Government Hospital at Prathipadu and that thereby he committed an offence punishable under Section 302 I.P.C. The appellant abjured his guilt and denied of having committed any such offence. During the course of trial, the prosecution examined as many as thirteen witnesses and got marked Exs.P-1 to P-28 and M.Os.1 to 4. None was examined on the side of the accused and no documents were marked on his behalf.

(3.) P.W. 1 is the son-in-law of the deceased. P. W.5 is the brother and P. W.6 is the widow of the deceased. P.Ws.2 to 4 are other eye-witnesses to the occurrence.