CHANDRASEKHARAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The story of a bride who died in her husband's house within four months of her wedding is unfurled in this case. It was first thought to be suicide, but later found to be murder. Her husband's brother (1st accused) was indicted for the murder while her husband (2nd accused) and mother inlaw were charged for giving false information regarding the murder. Trial Court convicted first accused under S.302 and 201 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to imprisonment for life and rigorous imprisonment for three years respectively while 2nd accused was convicted of S.201 and was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for three years. Their mother was acquitted. Hence, this appeal by the convicted accused.

(2.) A conspectus of the prosecution story is the following: Marriage between Jayalakshmi (deceased) and Santhakumaran (A2) was solemnised on 19-11-1987, and the couple lived thereafter in the husband's house at Palakkad. There are two buildings situated in the same compound, one a new building and the other an old one. All the inmates were residing in the new building. The family consisted of father, mother, and three sons, among whom the youngest is the 1st accused who is a bachelor. Eldest was doing business at Ernakulam and his wife Sudha (PW 6) was staying along with her husband's parents in the new building. 2nd accused and his wife used to sleep in the old building.

(3.) Some time after marriage of the deceased, A1 started looking at her with leering eyes and made libidinous overtures towards her, but she had spurned them then and there. However, she told it to her sister Kunhilakshmi (PW.3), who in turn, divulged it to her mother Subhadra (PW.2). Eventually her husband was informed of this. He assured that he would see that It would not be repeated.