RAMESH ARJUN JAMDADE Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Once more we have before us a case where the accused husband treats his wife as a commodity rather than an "ardhangini" despite the promises made before the altar. The depraved mentality of the accused is highlighted by the avarice with which they persisted in their unjustified monetary demands made on the victim and her family. These demands were fulfilled by the family to the maximum extent which they were able to afford. However, greed got the better of the accused and they killed the proverbial goose that lays the golden egg.

(2.) The heinous crime which the accused have committed has been proved by the prosecution in the trial Court. The trial Court has, therefore, convicted all the accused i.e. the husband and the parents in law of the victim under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. They have been sentenced to suffer life imprisonment and a fine of Rs.1,000/- has been imposed on each of them. The accused have also been convicted for the offence under Section 498-A read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code as well and sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and payment of fine of Rs.1,000/-. Accused No.1, the husband of the victim, has filed Criminal Appeal No.1066 of 2002. Accused Nos.2 and 3, the father and mother respectively of Accused No.1, have filed Criminal Appeal No.296 of 2002.

(3.) The prosecution case is that on 7th August 1999 at about 3.30 a.m. the accused set fire to the victim Varsha @ Vaishali after dousing her with kerosene. Accused No.1 lodged an ADR at about 5.30 in the morning where he stated that his wife had committed suicide by burning herself to death. He has stated that this happened while he was asleep in the bedroom which was locked from the outside. It was only when his father, who was sleeping in another room, shouted out to accused No.1 that he awoke. Accused No.1 was able to come out of the bedroom after his mother unlatched the door. He found his wife burnt to death lying prostrate in the hall.