DEVINDERPAL Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) We have heard learned counsel for the parties.

(2.) This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order dtd. 21/8/2007 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in Criminal Appeal No.286-SB of 1996, whereby the High Court modified the judgment of the trial Court. The trial Court had convicted the appellant under Sec. 304-B of the Indian Penal Code (in short 'the IPC') and had sentenced him to undergo 7 years rigorous imprisonment together with fine. The High Court, by the impugned judgment converted the conviction of the appellant from one under Sec. 304-B IPC to 306 IPC and reduced the sentence to four years and also reduced the amount of fine.

(3.) On 13/2/1992, as per the prosecution case, the victim Anju Rani, wife of the appellant, died an unnatural death due to severe burn injuries. The incident had occurred after 3-1/2 years of marriage. On the completion of the investigation, charge sheet under Ss. 498A and 302 IPC read with Sec. 34 IPC was filed against three accused persons including the appellant herein.