2.2. The appellant was addicted to liquor, on account of which, there used to be frequent quarrels between the couple. While so, on 16.01.2015 (auspicious Pongal day), the appellant came drunk to his house around 2.30 a.m. and knocked the door. After a little while, his wife Anushiyadevi opened the door and when she questioned him as to why he had taken liquor even on the auspicious day, he quarrelled with her. As the altercation between them reached a certain level, the child started yelling. It is alleged that the appellant took his belt, whipped his wife and thereafter, strangulated her, on account of which, she died. On hearing the loud cries of the child, Ashokan [PW-2] and Nagarathinam [PW-3], a neighbour, came to the appellant's portion and through the window, Ashokan [PW-2] is said to have seen the occurrence. When Ashokan [PW-2] banged the door, the appellant opened it and ran away with the belt. Immediately, Ashokan [PW-2] informed the father of the appellant and father of Anushiyadevi over phone, after which the family members assembled there. 108 ambulance was summoned and the ambulance personnel examined the body of Anushiyadevi and declared that she was dead.
