NARENDERAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS Criminal Appeal is arising out of the conviction and sentence imposed by the Sessions Judge, Mahila Court, Tiruchirappalli in S.C. No.169 of 2007. By Judgment dated 28.8.2008, the learned Trial Judge found this Appellant guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 302 and 201,I.P.C., convicted and sentenced him to undergo Life Imprisonment and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/ -, in default, three months ' Simple Imprisonment, for the offence under Section 302, I.P.C. The Appellant was also sentenced to undergo Rigorous Imprisonment for a period of three years with a fine of Rs. 1,000/ - for the offences punishable under Section 201, I.P.C., in default, three months ' Simple Imprisonment was ordered.

(2.) THE Appellant is Accused No.1 in the Sessions Case No.169 of 2007. He was tried along with two other Accused for the offences punishable under Sections 498 -A, 302 and 201, I.P.C. The learned Trial Judge acquitted all the three Accused from the offence under Section 498 -A, and convicted the Appellant/Accused No.1 for the offence punishable under Sections 302 and 201,I.P.C.

(3.) THE facts of the case is that the Accused No.1 and the deceased got married on 24.10.2004 at Valliyur Murugan Temple. At the time of marriage, PW3, the father of the deceased gave 21 1/2 sovereigns of gold to both his daughter/the deceased and on -in -law/the Accused No. 1. Apart from the jewels, he also gave a Colour TV, Almirah, cot and other household articles. After the marriage, the deceased and the Accused No.1 lived as a joint family along with the other Accused at Tiruchirapalli. They also lived separately at Ramanathapuram. The Accused/Appellant harassed the deceased to get a sum of Rs. 2 lacs for his business and due to that, there was a dispute between the Appellant and PW4 during valaigappu function held on 18.5.2005. On 30.7.2006, at about 11.45 a.m., the Appellant/Accused No.1 informed PW2 to PW4 that his wife Sridevi is in a serious condition and he was taking her to the Hospital. After some time, he informed PW1 to PW4 that his wife Sridevi had died due to hanging. The Accused had also gone to the K.K. Nagar Police Station and given a Complaint before PW9 around 1.30 p.m. on 30.7.2006. the said Complaint was registered in Cr. No.373/06 under Section 174, Cr.P.C.