(1.) The appellant has brought forth this appeal challenging the judgment of the I Additional Sessions Judge, Coimbatore finding him guilty under S.302 of Indian Penal Code and awarding life imprisonment.
(2.) A charge under S.302 of I.P.C. was levelled against the appellant/accused stating that he murdered his wife Thangamani by cutting her neck with aruval on 2.5.1993 at about 5.30 A.M. at his residence in Dhali.
(3.) The facts necessary for the disposal of this appeal can shortly be stated as follows: P.W.1 Nachammal and her husband P.W.2 Palanisamy were living with their second daughter P.W.3 Thangeswari and their son P.W.13 Selvaraj at North Street, Dhali. Their first daughter, the deceased Thangamani was given in marriage to her maternal uncle Nachimuthu about 7 years prior to the occurrence. In view of the strained relationship, she left the matrimonial home and was living with her parents in Dhali and doing coolie work. She developed illicit intimacy with the accused and left the Village for about two or three months. They returned back to Dhali and got married and were living in a separate house. As the days passed on, they joined with the family members of P.W.2. They had two female children, and they were also living with the parents. The accused has suspicion over the fidelity of the deceased that she had developed illicit relationship with P.W.6 Thangavel, and in view of the same, there were frequent quarrels, which resulted in visits to her parents' house often. Ten days prior to the occurrence, the deceased left for her parents' house. A few days prior to the date of occurrence, the accused went to P.W.2's house and on the assurance that he would live with her peacefully, took her back home. On 2.5.1993 at about 5.30 A.M., P.Ws.1 to 3 and 13 came to the house of the accused to take the deceased to Thirumoorthimalai temple as per the schedule. At that time, all of them witnessed the accused cutting the neck of the deceased with M.O.1 aruval. P.W.s 4 and 5 saw the accused running from the place of occurrence. Immediately, P.W.1 proceeded to Dhali Police Station and gave Ex.P1 complaint. On the strength of Ex.P1 complaint, the Sub Inspector of Police attached to the said Police Station registered a case in Crime No.188 of 1993 under S.302 of I.P.C. and sent Ex.P17 express First Information Report to the concerned Magistrate's Court.