VIRENDRA KUMAR, MITHILA Vs. STATE OF M P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellants have filed this appeal against the judgment dated 5.1.2000 passed by II nd Additional Sessions Judge, Rewa in Sessions Trial No. 43/98 convicting the appellants under section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code and sentencing them to rigorous imprisonment for one year with fine of Rs. 1000/-, on each count respectively. In default of payment of fine further rigorous imprisonment for 3 months to each appellant.

(2.) In short, the prosecution case is that Anita, the deceased was married to appellant Virendra in the year 1988. On 14.6.1997, Anita died of burn injuries in her husband's house. On the report of Chhedilal, the father of deceased, a case under sections 304-B, 306 and 498-A I. P. C. was registered. It was alleged that Virendra, the husband and Mithila Prasad, the father-in-law of deceased made a demand of scooter in dowry. Rs. 10,000/- were paid but, since no further amount could be paid, accused persons subjected deceased to cruelty and ultimately on 14.6.1997 she died under unnatural circumstances by burn injuries.

(3.) Trial Court, after appreciating the evidence on record, held the appellants guilty under section 498-A I. P. C. , however, finding the evidence insufficient for establishing the charges under sections 304-B and 306 I. P. C. , acquitted them of those charges.