UNNIKRISHNAN @ CHANDU Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant herein challenges the conviction and sentence against him under S.498A IPC in S. C. No. 650 of 2006 of the Court of Session, Palakkad. The said case relates to the commission of suicide by one Pushpalatha by burning herself. Pushpalatha abandoned her parents, and left the house, and thereafter joined the appellant. They started living as man and wife, sans a legal marriage, and it was only a live - in relationship. They continued the relationship for about four years. On 03/10/2005, Pushpalatha burnt herself, and on 07/10/2005, she died at the hospital due to extensive burns, while undergoing treatment. Her mother made a complaint before the Police, on the basis of which the Police registered a crime, and after investigation, the Police submitted final report in Court against the appellant under S.498A and S.306 IPC.

(2.) The prosecution case is that deceased Pushpalatha had been subjected to much mental and physical cruelty and harassment by the accused by a course of cruel conduct, and when she found it unbearable, she burnt herself to death.

(3.) On committal, the case came up before the Court of Session, from where it was made over to the learned Additional Sessions Judge (Adhoc - MI), Palakkad, for trial and disposal.