CHIMTA VENKATESWARAMMA Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant was tried for the offence of causing the death of her step-son, by name, Chimata Srinivas @ Sreenu, on 15-05-2000, by pouring kerosene and setting him on fire. The Court of the learned VII Additional Sessions judge, Guntur, through its judgment, dated 16-02-2006, found her guilty of the offence punishable under Section 302 I. P. C. and sentenced her to undergo imprisonment for life. Fine of Rs. 500/-, in default, to under go simple imprisonment for two months, was also imposed. Hence, this appeal.

(2.) P. W. 1 was initially married to one Ramadevi. Through her, he had two sons, the deceased and another younger boy, aged two years. Due to differences between the spouses, they got separated. According to an arrangement suggested by elders, the deceased was to be brought up by P. W. 1 and the younger boy, by ramadevi.

(3.) P. W. 1 married the appellant and through her, he had a daughter. It was alleged that the appellant developed hatred towards her step-son and on the fateful day, she poured him kerosene and set him on fire. Soon after the incident, Sreenu was admitted in government hospital and on a requisition, given by duty doctor, P. W. 9, dying declaration of the boy was recorded by P. W. 14, IV additional Munsif Magistarte, Ongole. Hours after recording dying declaration, the boy died. Inquest, and thereafter, postmortem, were conducted through exs. P-16 and P-9, respectively. The trial Court framed charge under relevant provision. The appellant pleaded not guilty, and trial Court convicted and sentenced her.