BASAVANGOUDA Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is preferred by the accused in S.C.No. 143/2009 dated 03.02.2011 in convicting the appellant-accused for the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 302 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the TPC' for short). The trial Court has sentenced the appellant to undergo imprisonment for life and also to pay an amount of Rs. 50,000/ - as fine with default sentence of rigorous imprisonment for one year for the offence punishable under Section 302 of IPC, and also sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years for the offence punishable under Section 498A and also directed him to pay a fine of Rs. 50,000/- in default of payment of fine, he shall undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months.

(2.) The brief factual matrix that emanate from the records are that, the deceased Sumitra was given in marriage to the accused about two years prior to the incident. They were blessed with one female child by name Sahana. The accused was working in LIC office. It is alleged that the accused was always suspecting the fidelity of his wife and due to which he was assaulting her and ill-treating and harassing her and also that, he was demanding for money.

(3.) In this background, it is alleged that on 05.04.2009 at about 11.30 a.m. the accused has started quarrelling with his wife on the above said two grounds and with an intention to do away with the life of the deceased, has poured kerosene on her and lit fire. She started screaming, at that time the neighbouring people gathered and shifted her to the hospital. The said Sumitra and the accused were residing at Padmavati colony in Bijapur.