NAGENDHIRAMANI Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Appeal has been filed by the mother of the deceased Hemalatha under section 372 of Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 challenging the order of acquittal of A1 to A3 in S.C. No. 65 of 2012 dated 26.09.2014 by the learned Sessions Judge, (Mahila Fast Track Court) at Thiruvellore. The case of the prosecution is as follows:

(2.) Raja (A1) is a distant relative of the deceased Hemalatha. The family of the accused and the family of the deceased were known to each other and with the approval of both families, betrothal for the marriage of Raja (A1) with the deceased Hemalatha was conducted on 08.05.2009. Thereafter, the marriage between them was solemnized on 02.07.2009. On 02.07.2010, Hemalatha committed suicide, by hanging in the matrimonial home.

(3.) On the complaint lodged by Mrs. Nagendhiramani, the stepmother of the deceased Hemalatha, the respondent Police registered an FIR in Crime No. 181 of 2010 under Section 174(3) Cr.P.C, 1973 (marked as Ex-P7) and took up investigation. Since the death was within seven years of marriage, Kandasamy/PW-6-the Revenue Divisional Officer conducted inquest and submitted the inquest report (Ex-P3), wherein he had stated that the death had occurred on account of cruelty meted out to Hemalatha.