RAMESH CHAKRADHARI Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This criminal appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dtd. 19/10/2023 passed by the the learned Second Additional Sessions Judge, Durg, District Durg, in Sessions Trial No. 70/2022, whereby the appellant has been convicted for the offence punishable under Sec. 302 of the Indian Penal Code (for short, the IPC) and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life with fine of Rs.1,000.00 and in default of payment of fine, to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for 3 months.

(2.) The appellant/convict was charged under Sec. 302 of the IPC for murdering his wife Lalita Chakradhari (hereinafter referred to as 'the deceased') by pouring kerosene on her and setting her on fire with a matchstick on 9/1/2022 at 19.00 hours in his own house situated at Ward No. 9, Shivnagar, Kumhari, under Police Station Kumhari, District Durg.

(3.) The admitted facts in this case is that the deceased is the wife of the appellant. Pooja Chakradhari (PW-1) is the daughter and Roshan Chakradhari (PW-3) is the son of the deceased and the appellant. Appellant is the brother of Rajesh Chakradhari (PW-2). The appellant is the nephew of Sukalya Bai (PW-4) and Harish Chakradhari (PW-6).