STATE OF M P Vs. KANTILAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE State has filed this appeal against the acquittal of the respondents for offences under Sections 304-B and 498-A of the IPC as also under Section 4 of the vide judgment dated 11-3-1996 of the Sixth Additional Sessions Judge, Indore in Sessions Trial No. 159/93.

(2.) ACCORDING to the prosecution, deceased Sanjana Mehta, aged 22 years, was married to accused Mahesh on 3-2-1991, who consumed poison and died. On learning about the said fact over the phone at Indore, her parents rushed to Chennai and looked for the reason for her having consumed the poison. Whey they examined the matter in that perspective, realisation dawned upon them that although they had given sufficient dowry, the accused were dissatisfied and they had expressed their annoyance. In the report Ex. P-l, other details of the events were also mentioned to emphasise the fact that the deceased must have been harassed in pursuance of the demand of dowry which must have impelled her to bring an end to her life. It was in this respect that the respondents were prosecuted for the said offences.

(3.) ON trial, however, the learned Additional Sessions Judge found that it was not proved that she was subjected to any harassment or cruelty and in this view of the matter, the learned Judge has acquitted the respondents.