PANAKANTI SAMPATH RAO Vs. STATE OF A P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. Baijoyonta Barooah, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the appellant (A-1) and Mr. P. Vinay Kumar, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the respondent. This appeal is directed against the judgment and order dt. 18.04.2003 passed by the High Court of Andhra Pradesh in Criminal Appeal No. 81 of 2003 whereby the High Court has dismissed the appeal filed by the appellant herein challenging his conviction under Ss. 498-A, 304-B of the Indian Penal Code read with Sec. 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The High Court has converted the conviction of the appellant u/s. 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to undergo life imprisonment while acquitting the father and mother of the appellant (A-2 and A-3) from the convictions under Ss. 498- A and 304-B read with Ss. 2 and 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

(2.) The short facts are as follows :-

(3.) The trial court, after taking in view the evidence adduced, convicted the appellant besides Accused Nos. 2 and 3 under Ss. 498-A, 304-B of the Indian Penal Code and Sec. 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act and sentenced each of them as follows :