KUNJA BAI Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment and order passed by the High Court of Madhya Pradesh at Jabalpur in Criminal Appeal No.148 of 1995, dated 14.10.2009. By the impugned judgment and order, the High Court has set aside the order of conviction and sentence of the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short, "the IPC"). However, the High Court has confirmed the order of conviction for the offence punishable under Section 498A of the IPC, but has reduced the sentence to imprisonment for a period of one year.

(2.) The brief facts of the prosecution case are that the deceased was married in 1988, and soon after her marriage she was treated with cruelty and harassment by her husband, her father-in-law and her mother-in-law (the appellant-herein). The father-in-law and appellant ill-treated the deceased for bringing less dowry, and demanded gold ornaments and a tape recorder. The husband of the deceased threatened to re-marry as he had not married the deceased by choice, and beat the deceased. On 23.03.1989, within one year of her marriage, the deceased poured kerosene oil on herself and committed self-immolation. The deceased died due to burn injuries.

(3.) The First Information Report was lodged, investigation was completed and a charge-sheet was filed against the husband, father-in-law and the appellant for the offences punishable under Sections 498A, 306 and 304B of the IPC.