SOHANLAL Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment dated 23.7.2001 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track), Bhilwara convicting the appellant Sohanlal of offence under Sec. 302, I.P.C. and sentencing him with imprisonment for life.

(2.) Briefly stated the facts of the case are that PW-9 Balu lodged first information report at Police Station, Bhilwara on 28.12.1998 stating inter alia, that in the evening at about 6.30 P.M. he returned from his field alongwith his wife Mst. Chandi. He found the house open, however, the room of his mother Mst. Kamla was locked. As she was missing he made enquiries from the neighbours. He was told by PW-6 Narayan and PW-3 Bholu that the dead body of his mother was lying inside the room. He also stated that when he left for the field his mother was wearing ornaments which including ramnavami, 2 madaliya and nose-ring and she was preparing food. On this information, the police registered a case under Sec. 302, I.P.C. and proceeded for investigation.

(3.) During investigation it revealed that Mst. Kamla was not having cordial relations with her daughter-in-law Smt. Chandi. Thus she was killed at the instance of Smt. Chandi in conspiracy with Mohammed Zamil (since acquitted) and appellant Sohanlal. Thus the police filed charge-sheet against Smt. Chandi, Mohammed Zamil and appellant Sohanlal.