SIVAKUMAR AND OTHERS Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The convictions and sentences dated 28.04.2008 passed in Sessions Case No.97 of 2007 by the Assistant Sessions Court, Mannargudi are being challenged in the present Criminal Appeal.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that the accused 2 and 3 are parents of the first accused. The first accused has married Punitha on 6.7.2006 and after some time, all the accused have caused dowry torture to the said Punitha and since she has not been able to fulfil the demand of dowry made by all the accused, on 2.9.2006 at about 6.15 a.m., in the house of the accused, she doused kerosene and set fire on her and subsequently she has been taken to Government Hospital, where she passed away on the same day at 10.15 a.m. After occurrence, the father of the deceased by name Ramasamy has given a complaint and the same has been registered in Crime No.66 of 2006.

(3.) On receipt of the complaint alleged to have been given by the defacto complainant, the Investigating Officer, viz., P.W.16, has taken up investigation, examined connected witnesses and also made arrangements for conducting Inquest and accordingly the concerned Revenue Divisional Officer (P.W.15) has conducted inquest and submitted his report (Ex.P.9). The Investigating Officer has also made arrangements to conduct autopsy on the body of the deceased and accordingly Dr.Indrani (P.W.13) has conducted Post-mortem and he found the following external and internal injuries on the body of the deceased:-