VASU @ VASUDEVAN Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Challenge in this Criminal Appeal is to the convictions and sentences dated 14.02.2006 passed in Sessions Case No.86 of 2005 by the Assistant Sessions Court, Cheyyar, Tiruvannamalai District.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that the accused is the husband of the deceased by name Kuppu @ Vanitha and their marriage has taken place on 27.08.1998 and both of them have approached the father of the deceased and obtained a sum of Rs.1,70,000/- for purchase of Lorry and subsequently, the accused has tortured her by way of demanding dowry. Since the deceased has not been able to brook the demand made by the accused, she doused kerosene on her person on 30.10.1999 and set fire and due to burn injuries, she passed away on 31.10.1999. After occurrence, the Village Administrative Officer, as defacto complainant has given a complaint and the same has been registered in Crime No.9 of 1999. The complaint given by the defacto complainant has been marked as Ex.P.1.

(3.) On receipt of Ex.P.1, the Investigating Officer (P.W.16) has taken up investigation, examined connected witnesses and also made arrangement for conducting autopsy and accordingly, the doctor, by name Kumar (P.W.15) has conducted autopsy and he found the following external and internal injuries:-