ARVIND ASHOK SONAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellant-original accused has preferred this appeal against the judgment and order dated 21.03.2009 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Kolhapur in Sessions Case No. 17 of 2008. By the said judgment and order, the learned Sessions Judge convicted the appellant for the offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC and sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life. The incident has taken place on 21.11.2007 at Jyotirling Apartment, Kolhapur. Victim girl Sujata was residing at Jyotirling Apartment with her parents and sibling. At the relevant time, she was holding a degree of Engineering and was serving in Pune. Her marriage was settled and was to take place on 03.12.2007 with one Koustabh Tamhankar from Sangli.

(2.) The appellant was charged for the offence punishable under Section 307 of IPC and was convicted and sentenced for the same, hence, this appeal.

(3.) This is a full proof case against the appellant. PW 3 victim girl Sujata stood in the witness box and has narrated that the appellant was after her since 3-4 years prior to the incident. He has expressed his love towards her, however, she was not interested in him and she has warned him not to be after her. She has also informed about the same to her father and her mother PW 8 Neha. They have also warned the appellant. PW 1 Sujata has stated that her marriage was fixed with one Koustabh Tamhankar from Sangli and it was to be solemnized on 03.12.2007. On 21.11.2007 at around 07.30 p.m., she went to the medical shop and returned with medicines on her two wheeler. She parked it and was climbing the staircases to go to her home. At that time, the appellant came from the upstairs with a bottle in his hand and disclosed to Sujata that as she was not responding to his love; he threatened to kill her. The appellant removed the cap of the bottle and poured some corrosive chemical on her face and fled away. Sujata sustained injuries. She started shouting. Her mother and other two ladies i.e. PW 4 Meenakshi and PW 5 Pravina came running on the spot.