KAMLESH Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellants Kamlesh, Ram Milan and Laxmi Bai have been convicted under Ss. 304-B, 306 and 498-A, IPC, and sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for ten years, seven years and two years respectively.

(2.) It is not in dispute that deceased Anita committed suicide by hanging herself on 27-6-1997 in her matrimonial home in village Shivrajpur within three years of her marriage with accused Kamlesh. Accused Ram Milan is her Jeth and accused Laxmibai is her Jethani. The information relating to her unnatural death was given by accused Kamlesh to the police on the same day as per Ex. P-11. The parents of the deceased were informed about her death by accused Ram Milan and they were present when the Panchnama Ex. P-5 of her dead body was prepared.

(3.) The prosecution case is that the accused persons were demanding an amount of Rs. 10,000/- and a T. V. as dowry; Anita used to complain to her parents about this demand; she was being harassed by them on that count and an amount of Rs. 2,000/- was paid to them a month prior to her death. Panchamlal (P.W. 6) father of the deceased submitted a written report Ex. P-7 to the Police on 9-9-1997 stating therein that it was a case of dowry death.