ASHVANI Vs. STATE OF CHHATTISGARH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is directed against the impugned judgment dated 28.2.2007 passed by the 11th Additional Sessions Judge, FTC, Raipur in S.T. No.395/2006 convicting the accused/appellant under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (for short 'the IPC') and sentencing him to undergo imprisonment for life.

(2.) In the present case name of deceased is Chandrakala Bai, wife of accused/appellant, who died on 17.4.2006 in her matrimonial home by hanging herself.

(3.) Facts of the case in brief are that the marriage of accused/appellant and the deceased was said to have been solemnized three years prior to the date of incident and on 17.4.2006 she was found dead in her in-laws house. According to the prosecution, the accused persons used to harass and torture the deceased in connection with demand of dowry and therefore she has put an end to her life by hanging herself. On receiving information that the deceased has died due to Diarrhoea, PW-1 Tekram, father the deceased, rushed to the spot and found her dead body lying on the cot. Merg Intimation (Ex.P-4) was recorded on 18.4.2006 at the instance of Tekram, father of deceased. Inquest over the body of deceased was prepared vide Ex.P-6. Dead body was sent for postmortem examination which was conducted by Dr. S.N. Manjhi (PW-10) vide Ex.P-13 and as per report of Ex.P-10, the cause of death was asphyxia as a result of hanging.