SALEEM Vs. STATE OF UTTARAKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) PRESENT appeal is directed against the judgment and order dated 06.07.2010 passed by Sessions Judge, Haridwar in Sessions Trial Nos. 92 of 2009 and 73 of 2010 whereby appellants were held guilty for the offence punishable under Section 304B IPC and each was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 7 years. Brief facts of the present case, inter alia, are that PW1 Tasleem Ahmad submitted a report with police station Kotwali Laksar on 10.12.2008 at 04.20 p.m. stating therein his sister Shahnaz got married with Mustakeem about 2 1/2 years ago in the year 2006, as per Muslim Rites and Rituals; motorcycle, refrigerator, sofa -set, jewellery and other items were given in the dowry, at the time of marriage; despite this in -laws of Shahnaz kept on taunting her for bringing less dowry; Mustakeem used to beat her; Shahnaz made several complaints; PW1, after counselling her, sent her back to her matrimonial house; on 09.12.2008, he (PW1) came to know that Shahnaz was set on fire by her husband Mustakeem and other accused persons; having heard the hue and cry of Shahnaz, people from the vicinity reached on the spot; accused persons under the pressure of neighbours took Shahnaz to Roorkee Hospital and from Roorkee Hospital to Meerut Hospital; family members of Shahnaz were not informed about the incident; having acquired the knowledge, PW 1 and other family members of Shahnaz, could reach to Anand Hospital, Garh Road, Meerut and found Shahnaz admitted in the hospital, on being asked by PW 1 and other family members, Shahnaz told them that she was set on fire by her husband, brother -in -law; mother -in -law, father -in -law.

(2.) HAVING investigated the matter, charge -sheet was submitted against the accused persons for the offence punishable under Section 304B IPC. After committal of the case, trial court was pleased to frame charges against all the accused persons for the offences punishable under Section 304B IPC. Appellants denied the charges, and claimed trial.

(3.) HAVING perused the entire material made available on record, learned trial court was pleased to acquit the husband Mustakeem, however, convicted & sentenced the appellants vide judgment and order under appeal.