(1.) Elangbam Gopal Singh, accused No. 1 in FIR No. 98(11)2000 on the file of Bishnupur Police Station, was tried by the learned Sessions Judge, Bishnupur, in Sessions Trial Case No. 8 of 2014 on the charge of committing an offence punishable under Sec. 302 IPC. By judgment dtd. 2/5/2017, the learned Sessions Judge found him guilty of murdering Mayanglambam Premananda Singh on 23/11/2000 at about 7:30 pm. By order dtd. 16/5/2017, the learned Sessions Judge sentenced him to imprisonment for life and payment of fine of Rs. 2000/-, in default of which he was to undergo two months simple imprisonment. Aggrieved by his conviction and sentence, Elangbam Gopal Singh is in appeal under Sec. 374 Cr.P.C. By way of MC (Cril. Appeal) No. 6 of 2017, he sought suspension of the impugned judgment and sentence.
(2.) Heard Mr. T. Rajendra, learned counsel for the appellant; and Mr. Athouba Khaidem, learned PP, appearing for the State.
(3.) The case of the prosecution is that, at about 8:00 a.m. on 24/11/2000, Mayanglam-bam Dhonjaoba Singh (P.W.4) lodged a written report with the Officer-in-Charge, Bishn-upur Police Station, stating that, on 23/11/2000 at about 7:30 pm, when his elder brother's son, namely, Mayanglambam Premananda Singh, was standing near Toubul Micro Bazar, Elangbam Gopal Singh and his father, Elang-bam Ibochou Singh, along with others surrounded him and he was stabbed by Elangbam Gopal Singh with a knife. Mayang lambam Premananda Singh sustained an injury on his abdomen and succumbed thereto while undergoing medical treatment.