ALAKUNTA YADAIAH Vs. STATE OF A P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is directed against the conviction and sentence passed by III-Additional District & Sessions Judge (FTC), at N.T.R. Nagar, L.B. Nagar, R.R.Dist, in S.C.No.351 of 1998, on 28.01.2002.

(2.) THE appellant and his parents who are A2 and A3 were prosecuted for offence under Section 304-B IPC, alleging that the appellant has married the daughter of PW.1, by name Saidamma eight months prior to her death and at the time of marriage, PW.1 gave five tolas of gold, almirah, wrist watch, cycle, portable television and net cash of Rs.1,500/-for purchase of cot. After marriage, Saidamma joined the appellant at Srinivas Nagar, Jagadgiri Gutta and they led happy marital life for about two months and thereafter, the appellant along with his parents A2 and A3 started harassing the deceased for bringing net cash of Rs.15,000/-and a fan from her parents and harassing her, abusing her in filthy language. PW.1 and her husband held a panchayat in the presence of PWs.2 and 3 and PW.1 promised and assured Al that they will arrange the net cash of Rs.10,000/- on 06.08.1997 and sent the deceased with the accused No.1 and his sister Anjamma, and even then the accused did not satisfy and continued to harass the deceased and as there is no change in the attitude of the accused, the deceased poured kerosene and set fire to herself in her in-laws house at Srinivas Nagar, Jagadgiri Gutta on 03.08.1997 at 6.00 p.m and died on the spot. On receipt of the information, PW.1 and her husband had gone to Jagadgiri Gutta and lodged complaint with the police. THE police, after investigation, filed charge sheet against the accused and A2 and A3 for offence under Section 304-B IPC

(3.) THE learned Sessions Judge, by taking into consideration the said oral and documentary evidence, found A1 guilty for the offence under Section 304-B IPC and convicted and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years, and A2 and A3 were found not guilty and acquitted. Aggrieved by the said conviction and sentence, the accused No.1 has filed the present appeal.