DAS @ PRAGALATHAN Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant/A1 has preferred this Criminal Appeal, challenging the judgment dtd. 24/2/2022 in S.C.No.264 of 2017 on the file of the District Magalir Neethi Mandram (Fast Track Mahila Court), Villupuram.

(2.) The appellant was convicted by the trial court for offences under Ss. 498A and 304B of IPC and Sec. 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 [hereinafter referred to as "the Act"] and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years in respect of the major offence under Sec. 304B of IPC and no separate sentence has been imposed for the other offences.

(3.) It is the case of the prosecution that the marriage between the appellant/A1 and the deceased was solemnised on 18/4/2014 in M.R.Marriage Hall, Valathi. At the time of marriage, as per the demand of the accused(A1 to A3), 2 1/2 sovereigns of gold and Rs.50,000.00 in cash were given as dowry by PW1/mother of the deceased. After the marriage, when the deceased was living with her husband/A1 and in-laws/A2 and A3, they harassed her by demanding further 2 1/2 sovereigns of gold and Rs.50,000.00 in cash as dowry. The issue was sorted out several times by PW1 and the relatives, stating that the dowry will be given later. Again, when the deceased was living separately with her husband/A1 in one Ajithkumar's house for rent, there also A2 and A3 had harassed the deceased by demanding additional dowry.