SC notice on a petition sent from jail

New Delhi, Nov 5 (UNI) The Supreme Court has issued notice to the Rajasthan government on a petition sent by two brothers, awarded life imprisonment for murdering a woman of their village, through their Jail Superintendent.

A division bench headed by Justice A R Lakshmanan issued notice after hearing amicus curiae Vijay Panjwani who contended that the two appellants, Ram Kishan and his brother Ramotar, had been convicted solely on the basis of testimony of the relatives of the deceased, Savitri.

The incident took place on September 22,1998 in Jhunjhunu district of Rajsthan when the victim was hacked to death with axe and jelly and her son was also attacked by the assailants when he came to his mother's aid.

A Fast Track court convicted and sentenced the two on March 13,2002 to life imprisonment with a fine of Rs 1000 each.

The Rajasthan High Court upheld their conviction vide judgment dated December 12,2004.

The two appellants, in their petition, have prayed to the court to provide a lawyer to them as they were too poor to engage one.

UNI/AKS/SC SB ND1042