HAR DEVI Vs. STATE OF DELHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both the appeals have been filed under section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 against the Judgment dated 30.01.2001 and Order on Sentence dated 31.01.2001, passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Delhi in Session's case No. 22/1999, FIR No. 444/97, sections 498-A/304-B/34, Police Station Rohini of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (hereinafter referred to as, the "IPC"). Both the appeals were heard together and are accordingly, being disposed of by this common judgment.

(2.) Vide Order on Sentence dated 31.01.2001 passed by the trial court, Ravinder Rana (appellant in CRL. A. No.87/2001) was sentenced to seven years R.I. under section 304-B IPC. Har Devi, Kuldeep Singh and Jagjeet Singh (appellants in CRL. A. No.76/2001) as well as Ravinder Rana were sentenced to two years of imprisonment under section 498-A IPC. A fine of Rs.1,000/- was also imposed upon each of them. In case of default in the payment of fine, appellants were directed to undergo simple imprisonment for a period of one month. In case of Ravinder Rana, the sentence was directed to run concurrently.

(3.) Brief facts of the case as noticed by the learned Sessions Judge are that Smt. Suman was married to Sh. Ravinder Rana on 08.07.1992. On 13/14.08.1997, Smt. Suman was found hanging with a ceiling fan and chunni was tied around her neck. When Sh. Hukam Chand Verma, (father of Smt. Suman) reached her house and found her to be dead, he dialed number 100 and informed the police officials. On such information, police arrived at the spot. Investigation was conducted and challan was filed against four persons namely Ravinder Rana (husband of Suman), Har Devi (mother-in-law), Jagjit Singh and Kuldeep Singh (brothers-in-law of Suman). Post-trial, all the four appellants were convicted by the learned trial court.