DASHRATH DADA SALUNKHE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appeal is directed against the judgement and order dated 20th January, 2007 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Malashiras, convicting the appellant for committing murder of his wife-Vimal @ Anita on 28th July, 2005 and for causing disappearance of the evidence of said offence for screening himself from the legal punishment. By the said judgment, the appellant was sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-, and in default of payment of fine, to suffer R.I. for one month for the offence of murder and was sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay a fine of Rs.1,000/-, and in default of payment of fine, to suffer R.I. for one month for the offence under section 201 of Indian Penal Code. The learned Judge also ordered running of substantive sentences of imprisonment concurrently.

(2.) According to the prosecution, Vimal, the daughter of first informant PW-5 Sampat and PW-7 Sushila Gaikwad residents of Village Gursale, had married appellant about 13 years prior to 2005. The couple residing at Mandve had two daughters namely PW-1 Tejshri @ Jija of age 11 years, Komal of age 7 years and one son Suraj of age 9 years.

(3.) The appellant pleaded not guilty to the charge (Exh.2) for such offences framed against him by the Court of Sessions at Malshiras after the case was committed to said Court by the Committal Court.