JYOTSNA MAL Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the Judgment and Order dated 27.1.94 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Tamluk, Dist. Midnapur convicting the appellant for an offence under section. 302/201 of the IPC and sentencing her to suffer imprisonment for life in Sessions Trial No. 1 (1)/93, arising out of G.R. Case No.492 of 1985.

(2.) The prosecution case briefly stated is that Smt Jyotsna Mal worked in the house of one Sachin Mondal as a maid-servant. Soon after her arrival in the house, troubles started between Gita Rani, deceased wife of Sachin Mondal and Smt. Jyotsna Mal who is the appellant here. On 31st May 1985, at Night, Gita Rani was murdered and her dead-body was thrown into the river Keleghat flowing by the aide of Sachin's house. On the following day, the dead body of Gita Rani Mondal was found floating near the sluice gate of a canal connected with the river. The further prosecution case is that the appellant made an Extra-Judicial Confession in presence of a large number of persons assembled at the house of Sachin stating that on the night of occurrence, she had killed Gita Rani with a Katari when Gita Rani was sleeping just outside her bed-room and threw her dead body in a gunny bag into the river, Keleghai flowing by the side of the house. She also made a judicial confession to the same effect later on.

(3.) Charge under sections 302/201 IPC was framed against the appellant. The appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge.