PUKKRAJ Vs. STATE OF TAMIL NADU

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants are A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-5. A-1 and A-2 are the father-in-law and mother-in-law of the deceased and A-3 is the brother-in-law and A-5 is the husband of the deceased. A-4 is the sister-in-law of the deceased. Except A-4, all the accused have been convicted under Section 498A and 304(B) IPC and they have been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for 7 years for the offence under Section 304 B IPC and no separate sentence was imposed for the offence under Section 498A IPC. A-4 has been acquitted for the charges.

(2.) The marriage of the deceased with A-5 was performed on 30.05.1996 and at that time the deceased was given 1 kg of gold, 40 kgs of silver, One set of Diamond pair, cash of Rs.2,00,000/-, Air conditioner, Fridge, Vacum Cleaner, Two emergency lights, Kitchen wares, Furnitures, Dressing Table and Bureau and in spite of that the deceased was ill-treated was not given food and she was not permitted to use the air conditioner and a further demand of air cooler was made. In view of the said demand, the deceased was not leading a happy married life.

(3.) P.W.1, the father of the deceased on 04.09.1997 at 11.00 p.m received intimation about the sustaining of burn injuries by the deceased on account of accidental fire and about the admission of the deceased in the Apollo Hospital. He rushed to the Hospital and on enquiry with the deceased, the deceased alleged to have repeatedly stated that she got burn injuries due to accident. At the time when she made an attempt to pick up the chimney from the loft, the same has fallen on her, in the darkness and got burn injuries. P.W.1 suspected some foul play and therefore, gave a complaint against the accused on 05.09.1997.