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The prosecution version as unfolded during trial is as follows:

On 12.10.1989, at about 5.00 p.m., when the first accused came to the house of the deceased and called the deceased. Gopi (PW-4) replied that the deceased had not returned from the day's work. Therefore, the first accused went away. The deceased returned home at about 6.00 p.m. At about 7.30 p.m. after taking food, the deceased was talking with his third wife, Neela and PW-4. At about 8.00 p.m. the first accused came again and requested the deceased to come out and when the deceased came out of the house, the first accused told him that he was having brandy and invited him for drinking brandy. He also showed a brandy bottle. Therefore, the deceased and the first accused went towards the backyard. While the deceased collected haystick and dropped them in the cattle shed, the first accused poured brandy in a glass of water and also mixed some white material which looked like camphor. After the deceased returned from the cattle shed, at the request of the first accused, the deceased consumed the brandy. The first accused also gave the deceased a plantain, which was taken by the deceased. Immediately thereafter, telling that the was feeling giddy, deceased fell down and fainted. PW-4 and Neela poured water on the face of the deceased. Since he did not get up, they cried. On hearing their cries, Padavattan and Ravi (PWs 2 and 3) went there. PW-4 and Neela informed PWs 2 and 3 that the first accused gave brandy to the deceased and immediately the deceased swooned. PW-2 advised them to take the deceased to the doctor. A country medical practitioner was brought, who after examining the pulse directed them to shift the deceased to the hospital. When the deceased was taken to the hospital, he was declared dead and the body was taken back home.
PW-1, the Village Administrative Officer of Kumaravadi Village was informed. He rushed to the place at about 7.30 a.m. on 13.10.1989, enquired from PW-4 and the third wife of the deceased and ascertained that the first accused and the second accused (the appellant) have mixed poison in the brandy and gave it to the deceased. Therefore, he went to Salavakkam Police Station and gave report (Ex. P-l) which was registered by PW-13 in Crime No.222/89 under Section 302 IPC Ex. P-13 is the first information report. The inspector of police, PW-16 took up investigation.
On taking up the investigation, Kahniyappan (PW-16) went to the place of occurrence, inspected the same, prepared Ex.P-2, Observation Mahazar and also drew sketch Ex.P-20. He seized M.Os. 1 to 5 viz., Brandy Bottle. Tumbler, Brass Tumbler, Polythene Paper and a piece of white cloth, respectively. He held inquest over the body of the deceased between 12.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. and prepared Ex.P-21, inquest report. During inquest, he examined PWs 1 to 3. After inquest he forwarded the body for autopsy. On completion of investigation charge sheet was filed. During trial accused persons pleaded innocence.