RAM MAJHI @ RAM MARDI Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction dated 5.11.2002 and order of sentence dated 12.11.2002 passed by the learned Additional District & Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court No.-II, Jamshedpur, East Singhbhum in Sessions Trial No. 51 of 1998, convicting the appellant under Section 302 IPC and sentencing him to undergo R.I. for life. The prosecution case in short is that the informant-Chhanu Manjhi (PW-1) lodged a fardbeyan before the police on 26.10.1997 at about 10.30 AM that at about 6.00 AM, Pawat Kisko (PW-6) informed him that two granddaughters of Mangli Kisko came and informed him that their 'Nani' was killed by the appellant by Axe when she and the appellant (who cuts and sells wood) were taking liquor. Thereupon, the informant alongwith others came and saw the dead body of Mangli Kisko lying on a cot with bleeding injuries. PW-4, one of the granddaughters of the deceased, told the informant that in the previous night the deceased and the appellant were taking liquor. During quarrel between them, the appellant assaulted her by Axe lying in the house and fled away.

(2.) Learned counsel for the appellant assailed the impugned judgment on various grounds and submitted that at best, the case will fall under Section 304 Part-II IPC; and that the appellant has remained in jail for about 15 years by now.

(3.) On the other hand, counsel for the State supported the impugned judgment.