SHANTARAM ATMARAM BELDAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal preferred against the Judgment and order dated 20th July, 2012 passed by learned Sessions Judge, Jalgaon in Sessions Case No. 14/2011.

(2.) IT was the case of the prosecution that the appellants/ accused subjected deceased Sangita wife of the appellant/ accused No. 1, and daughterinlaw of the other appellants to matrimonial cruelty and finally murdered her by setting her on fire at the matrimonial home on 18/9/2010.

(3.) SAHEBRAO , brother of the deceased, who claimed to be an eye witnesses of the incident, lodged a complaint against the appellants/ accused with local police station ­ Muktainagar Police Station, Muktainagar, District Jalgaon at about 11.45 pm on 18th September, 2010. A crime was registered against the appellants/ accused at Crime No. 142/2010 under sections 302, 498A read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 at Muktainagar Police Station. Sahebrao showed the place of offence to the police. Partially burnt plastic can, match box, match sticks, pieces of burnt clothing, and broken bangles were collected from the place of offence i.e. one of the of rooms used as residence by the deceased and the appellants/ accused. Statements of the witnesses were recorded. Seized articles were sent to the laboratory for further forensic investigation. The appellants/ accused were arrested, clothes of the deceased as well as the clothes found on the person of the appellant/ accused No. 1 was seized. On completion of the investigation the appellants/ accused were chargesheeted. The case was committed to the Court of Sessions thereafter in course of time.