cross-examination which makes his testimony unreliable or untrustworthy. 15. Close scrutiny of the evidence on record makes it clear that on 28.6.1997 at about 9.00 in the morning the accused/appellant had assaulted Rammu (PW-9) and deceased Panchu by axe and the injuries suffered by Panchu (deceased) led to his instantaneous death. Injured witness Rammu (PW-9) has categorically stated that it is the accused/appellant who had assaulted him and the deceased as well by axe. This apart, Ramswaroop (PW-2), a person who had no axe to grind against the accused/appellant, has categorically stated that he saw the accused/appellant assaulting the deceased with axe. According to this witness, accused/appellant gave three axe blows on temple region, shoulder & back of the deceased as a result of which he fell down. Both these witnesses remained consistent throughout their cross-examination and nothing substantial was elicited to discredit their version. The defence has also not been able to show as to why the aforesaid witnesses would falsely implicate the accused/appellant in the crime in question. Furthermore, one bloodstained axe was seized at the instance of accused/appellant and there is no explanation from him as to how the blood stains are there in the axe seized at his instance. Motilal (PW-1), a seizure witness, has supported the seizure made from the accused/appellant. According to the medical evidence also, injuries to the deceased were caused by blunt and sharp edged weapon and as per query report (Ex.P-14), the grievous injuries found on the body of deceased could have been caused by the -axe seized at the instance of accused/appellant. Similarly, on account of injuries caused by accused/appellant, left leg of injured Rammu (PW-9) was cut off below the knee. PW-8 who medically examined injured Rammu (PW-9) has opined that Injury No.1 of the injured alone was sufficient to cause his death in the ordinary course of nature. Thus, on the basis of evidence adduced by the
