BUDHWARA BAI Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant was convicted under Section 302, I. P. C. , and was sentenced to imprisonment for life for the murders by poisoning of Dayaram and Karmaha, father and son respectively on 29-11-1963, in village Bade-Gantoli, P. S. Sarangarh, District Raigarh.

(2.) DECEASED Dayaram was the father-in-law of the appellant while deceased Karmaha was the elder brother of the appellant's husband Mahabir. The appellant with her husband deceased Karmaha lived in separate rooms though of one house. Dayaram lived for a fortnight with Karmaha and next fort-night with Mahabir. Karmaha was a Widower and he used to make gestures insulting her modesty contemplating illicit sex with her. The prosecution alleges that the appellant bought poison from Sarangarh and administered it with vegetable bitter gourd (Momordica Chautia) served along with meals to both the deceased. Both started vomiting and eventually died in the house.

(3.) DABAL (P. W. 2) received a call from appellant's husband Mahabir. On visit, he noticed that Dayaram and Karmaha were vomiting. Karmada died soon thereafter. He went to village Kotwar Resham (P. W. 1) and returned with him to the appellant's house. By then Dayaram too had died. Resham enquired from the appellant what had she done to both the deceased. The appellant disowned any hand in their death. Resham threatened her that a report will be lodged in the police station and Station Officer will interrogate her. Therefore, she should tell the truth. The appellant confessed that she administered poison in the cooked vegetable of bitter gourd. Upon a further enquiry she disclosed that she brought the poison from Sarangarh.