STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Vs. RAMDAS AIRAM DONGARDIWE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Taking exception to the respondents' acquittal by the learned 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Buldana, of the offences punishable under sections 304-B and 498-A read with section 34 of the Penal Code, the State has preferred this appeal.

(2.) Facts which gave rise to prosecution of the respondents are as under :

(3.) Victim Shobha was married to respondent No. 1 Ramdas about eight to nine months prior to her death on 7th March, 1991. At the marriage, dowry amount was fixed at allegedly Rs. 4,500/- and Rs. 4,000/- have been paid. According to the prosecution, for the balance, the victim was ill-treated by her husband Ramdas, his father Jairam and sister Dropadi, accused Nos. 1, 2 and 3 respectively. This ill-treatment led the victim to commit suicide by consuming an insecticide Dimecron, which is normally found in farmers' houses. On a report by the Police Patil, police registered an offence, performed panchanama of the spot, made an inquest, sent victim's body for post-mortem examination, recorded statements of witnesses, caused viscera to be examined by Forensic Science laboratory and on completion of investigation, sent charge-sheet to the learned judicial Magistrate First Class, Mehkar, who committed the case to the Court of sessions at Buldana.