STATE Vs. G RAJENDRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is filed by the State against the Judgment dated 20.3.2004 passed, by the II Addl. Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Bangalore City in C.C. No.4924/ 2001, challenging the acquittal of accused for the offence under Section 496-A of IPC read with Sections 3 & 4 of the D.P. Act.

(2.) IT is the case of the prosecution that accused No.1 got married the Complainant-B.G. Suma on 21.3.1997 at Belagod Kalyana Mantap, situated on 40th Cross Road, VIII Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore. During the engagement, which took place on 26.1.1997, the accused is alleged to have received one diamond finger ring and two pairs of suit were given to accused No. 1; a pant piece and shirt piece were given to accused Nos.2 and 4 and costly silk sarees were given to accused No.3 along with cash of Rs.50,000/- as dowry. After the marriage, household articles like cots, beds, almirahs, clothes, bed-sheets, carpets and utensils were also given and she started residing with accused at Jayanagar. They have subjected her cruelty and mental harassment and finally sent her to her parents' house, on 15.7.2000, thereby they are alleged to have committed the offences under Sections 3 & 4 of D.P. Act and under Section 498-A of IPC.

(3.) HEARD Sri Vijayakumar Majage, learned HCGP for the appellant/State; Sri M. Vinod Kumar, learned Counsel for Respondent No. 1; Sri Satish G. Raikar, learned Counsel for Respondent Nos.2 and 3 and Sri M.S. Raghavendra Prasad, learned Counsel for Respondent No.4.