SAKTHIDAS S/O RADHAKRISHNAN Vs. STATE OF KERALA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is preferred by the appellant Sakthidas challenging the judgment passed by the learned 1 st Additional Sessions Judge, Kozhikode in S.C. No. 326 of 2010 arising out of Crime No. 429 of 2009 of Chevayur Police Station.

(2.) The accused/appellant is the husband of the deceased Sheejamani. They got married on 06/07/2008 and it was a love marriage. Case of the Prosecution is that while they were living together at 13/546, Patrons Complex at Kuruvattoor, the appellant subjected her to cruelty by demanding gold ornaments and cash. On 09/11/2009, between 01.20 p.m. and 020 p. m., while she went to pass urine in the bathroom, the accused poured kerosene on her body and set fire keeping her inside the bathroom by locking the door. After sometime, the accused opened the bathroom and took her to Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode. While under treatment, she succumbed to the injuries. Prosecution alleged that the accused caused the death of Sheejamani by burns or otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of marriage by harassing her Crl.Appeal No.682/2015 demanding dowry. He was charge-sheeted and tried for the offences under Sections 498-A, 302 and 304-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (45 of 1860).

(3.) Prosecution examined witnesses PWs 1 to 18, produced documents and marked them as Exts. P1 to P18. They also produced and identified material objects as MOs 1 to 5. Accused was convicted under Section 302 I.P.C.