VIRENDRA SINGH Vs. STATE OF M P

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been preferred against the judgment-dated 11.9.1997 passed by Fourth Additional Sessions Judge, Chhatarpur in S.T. No.79/97, whereby the appellant has been convicted and sentenced as under Convicted under Sections Sentenced to under- 498A of the IPC undergo R.I. for 1 year and to pay a fine of Rs.500/- & in default, to suffer R.I. for 2 months. 306 of the IPC undergo R.I. for 3 years and to pay a fine of Rs.1000/- & in default, to suffer R.I. for 6 months. With the direction that the jail sentences shall run concurrently

(2.) The appeal, so far as it relates to other appellant Laxmi Bai, has abated consequent to her death during pendency thereof.

(3.) Prosecution story, in short, may be narrated as under - "Guddo Bai @ Durgesh Nandini (since deceased), a resident of Damoh, was the daughter of Munna Singh & Tulsa Bai and younger sister of Sulekha (PW5). Her marriage was solemnized with the appellant on 29.5.1994. Her matrimonial life was not happy and cheerful as she had been persistently subjected to cruelty and harassment by the appellant and his mother Laxmi Bai. She was made to starve and work hard. Ultimately, on 20.10.1996, in a seriously burnt condition, Guddo's dead body was found in Kotha (room) of appellant's house only. Cause of her death was ascertained as shock due to ante-mortem burns.