(1.) This appeal is filed against judgment and order of Sessions Case No.18/1999 which was pending in the Court of Additional Sessions Judge, Dhule. By the decision dated 6/5/2000, the appellant is convicted and sentenced by the trial Court for offences punishable under Section 498-A of I.P.C. Parents and the two brothers of the appellant were also charged and tried alongwith the appellant for the offences punishable u/s 306, 304- B, 498-A r.w. 34 of I.P.C. and also for offence punishable u/s 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act. Other accused are acquitted of all the offences. Both sides are heard. Original papers are perused by this Court.
(2.) Deceased Rekha was a sister of complainant Kishor Ingale. Rekha was given in marriage to the appellant in the month of May 1995. She died due to burn injuries on 25/8/98. She has left behind a daughter who was aged about 3 years at the relevant time.
(3.) In the marriage, dowry was given and gold ornaments of 18 Tolas were also given by the parents of the deceased. In June 1995, more articles like Refrigerator, Cot were gifted by the parents of Rekha to see that Rekha leads happy married life. The parents of the complainant started hearing about the ill treatment which appellant was giving to the deceased immediately after few days of the marriage. Initially, complainant and other relatives of Rekha did not give much importance to the grievances expressed by Rekha. On 16/6/97, when Rekha came to attend the marriage of complainant, the parents saw injuries like wheel marks on the person of Rekha and when they learnt that appellant had given beating to Rekha, they took the matter seriously. On that occasion, they somehow convinced the appellant to behave well and the appellant also undertook not to repeat such instances.