HANMANT ANNA MORE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The marriage of the deceased Sangita was solemnized with the appellant Hanmant on 27th June 1994 and she was found dead in her matrimonial house on 1st June 1996, the death being initially registered as A.D. No.13 of 1996 with Dhebewadi Police Station. On a report being lodged by one Ashok Mane, brother of the deceased Sangita, the appellant along with his mother and brother were arraigned as accused and charge-sheeted for the offence punishable under Sections 304B, 306, 498A read with Section 34 of the IPC.

(2.) The Addl. Sessions Judge, Satara in Sessions Case No.124 of 1996 acquitted the Accused nos.2 and 3 of all the charges. Appellant is acquitted under Section 304-B of the IPC but convicted for the offence punishable under Section 498A and sentenced to suffer Rigorous Imprisonment for two years and to pay fine of Rs.1,000/- in default SI for one month. The appellant is also convicted for the offence punishable under Section 306 IPC and sentenced to undergo RI for 5 years and to pay fine of Rs.2,000/- in default SI for two months. The substantive sentences are ordered to run concurrently. It is this judgment of conviction which has prompted the appellant to present the Criminal Appeal, which is admitted on 22nd June 1998. On the appeal being admitted, the appellant was directed to be released on bail subject to furnishing fresh bond.

(3.) I have heard the learned counsel Shri Sharad Bhosale along with Shraddha Pawar i/b Advocate Dilip Bodake for the appellant and Mr.S.R. Agarkar, learned APP for the State.