KHANDU BABUJI LONDHE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard the learned counsel for the appellant and the learned Addl. Public Prosecutor for the State.

(2.) This Criminal Appeal is directed against the judgement and order dated 3.4.2003 passed by the Addl. Sessions Judge, Pune, in Sessions Case No.209 of 2000 whereby the appellant came to be convicted for the offence punishable under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer R.I. for life and was also directed to pay a fine of Rs.2,000/-, in default R.I. for six months. The appellant is also convicted for the offence punishable under section 201 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to suffer R.I. for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.500/-, in default to suffer R.I. for three months. Both these substantive sentences are directed to run concurrently. Original Accused no.2 Suresh Waman Padwal and accused no.3 Kailas Kisan Date were acquitted of all the charges. The State Government has not preferred an appeal against the acquittal of original accused nos.2 & 3.

(3.) The prosecution case, in a nutshell, is as follows:-