GOPAL KISAN JADHAO Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant is charged under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code for having committed the murder of Annapurna by dousing her in kerosene and burning her. The trial Court has convicted the appellant under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to suffer R. I. for life and also a fine of Rs. 100/- in default to suffer further R. I. for 1 month.

(2.) THE prosecution case is this, that Annapurna was the daughter of Mankarnabai w/o Ukarda Sonone and was residing in Ambedkar Nagar, Akola. In January 1996, she was residing in the same locality with her two daughters and husband. Deceased Annapurna though was married, was residing with her mother as she had come from her matrimonial house on account of illness. Annapurnas husband used to reside at Khamgaon.

(3.) THE case of the prosecution is that the appellant/accused Gopal Kisan Jadhao was also the resident of the same locality. He had a sister-in-law viz. Mangala. Deceased Annapurna used to work as a domestic servant and earn Rs. 500/- per month. It is the case of the prosecution that on 8-1-1996 Annapurna was not feeling well and, therefore, she was at home for the whole day. Her father Ukarda Sonone was out of station and her mother Mankarnabai and sister Gokarnabai had left the house to attend to their duties. In the evening when Mankarnabai came home, she found that Annapurna had sustained burn injuries. Thereafter, complainant Mankarnabai tried to rescue Annapurna and at that time deceased Annapurna told her mother that accused Gopal had poured kerosene on her person and set her on fire by means of a match stick.