ASHOK Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Having held guilty for commission of offence punishable under Ss. 307, 302 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), the appellant Ashok is challenging the judgment and order of learned Additional Sessions Judge-4, Ahmednagar dtd. 12/6/2013 passed in Sessions Case No. 324 of 2012.

(2.) Deceased Rekha was married to Ashok seven to eight years prior to the incident. Accused Ashok was residing with his parents at Nashik, whereas deceased was residing at Shevgaon with her brothers and sister. Accused used to visit deceased Rekha fortnightly.

(3.) On 14/4/2012, accused had come to Shevgaon to meet Rekha. On 15. 04.2012 accused consumed liquor and thereafter demanded Rs.5,000.00from Rekha for drinking. She refused, as a result of which there was quarrel between them. Accused went out of the house and returned back at around 1.00 p.m. and he again put up demand of money. On its refusal, it is the case of prosecution that, Ashok sprinkled kerosene on her and set her ablaze. PW3 Anjana and PW5 Mahesh, i.e. siblings of deceased Rekha, and others shifted her to Nityaseva Hospital. There, her dying declaration was recorded. It was made the basis of registration of crime no. 84 of 2012. She had suffered over 94% burns. Finally on 20/4/2012, while undergoing treatment, deceased succumbed to the burns. Hence the charge.