SANTA SINGH Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this order I dispose of Criminal Appeal No. 217 of 1955 and Murder Reference No. 24 of 1955.

(2.) In Sessions Case No. 9 of 1955 the Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar, has convicted Santa Singh under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code, hereinafter called the Code, and sentenced him to death.

(3.) Santa Singh Appeals from his conviction and the sentence of death imposed upon him and the proceedings under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure are before us for the confirmation of the sentence of death imposed upon him. In Sessions Case No. 9 of 1955 the motive for the crime was stated to be that Gopal Singh, grandfather of Santa Singh appellant, was being accused by Labh Singh in connection with the disappearance of the wife of Buta Singh, P.W. 12. On the 9th of September, 1955, Buta Singh proceeded to the police station to make a report about the matter, but he was dissuaded by Labh Singh and Mangat Singh, members of the village panchayat, from making the report. On return to the village Buta Singh P.W. 12 and Labh Singh went to the house of Gopal Singh who promised to enquire from Tehl Singh who had stood surety for the woman.