BOMMAKANTI LAXMAN Vs. STATE OF A P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE sole accused in Sessions Case No. 793 of 2005 on the file of the II Additional sessions Judge, Karimnagar at Jagtial filed these two appeals, aggrieved by the judgment of the trial Court dated 22. 12. 2005.

(2.) THE appellant was charged with offences under Sections 417, 420, 498-A, 302, 304-B, 201 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry prohibition Act. The allegation against him was that he married one Degala Shantha @ Bommakanti Shantha, the deceased, some time in the year 2003 concealing the fact that he was earlier married to some one else. It was also alleged that he induced p. W. I, in the presence of P. W. 6, to pay a sum of Rs. 80,000/- promising that he would send him to Dubai, but failed to do so; and thereby committed an offence under Section 420 IPC. The appellant was accused of harassing Shantha physically and mentally, demanding additional dowry and that he murdered her on the intervening night of 7/8. 2. 2005 by pouring kerosene on her. It was further alleged that with a view to screen the evidence from the prosecution, he had removed the dead body to a remote place.

(3.) THROUGH the judgment under appeal, the trial Court found the appellant guilty of the offences under Sections 498-A, 304-B, 417, 420 and 201 IPC and convicted him. The trial Court sentenced the appellant to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life, for the offence under Section 302 IPC and sentences for different periods ranging from one year to five years of rigorous imprisonment, were imposed for the offences punishable under other provisions. All the sentences were directed to run concurrently.