SACHHU Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been filed by the appellant, being aggrieved by the judgment dated 08.03.2010 passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Rehli, district Sagar in S.T. No.339/2008, whereby the appellant has been found guilty for the offence punishable under Sections 302 (3 counts) and 201 (3 counts) of the Indian Penal Code and has been sentenced to imprisonment for life and fine of Rs.1,000/- (3 counts) under Section 302 of the I.P.C. with a stipulation for 300 days rigorous imprisonment in case of default, 5 years rigorous imprisonment and fine of Rs.1,000/- (3 counts) under Section 201 of the I.P.C. with a stipulation for 300 days rigorous imprisonment in case of default. The sentences shall run separately.

(2.) The prosecution case, in brief, is that, deceased Vandana was married to the appellant, seven years prior to the incident, and had two children from the marriage namely deceased Dolly (aged 1 1/2 years old) and deceased Arun (6 years old). It is alleged that she was harassed and beaten up for dowry by her husband and in-laws. It is also alleged that appellant suspected that deceased was having illicit relationship with her brother-in-law and therefore, he committed the murder of Vandana and Dolly by strangulating them and of Arun by hitting him on head with stone and thereafter to make it look like a suicide, he set them and the house on fire.

(3.) As per prosecution, the appellant lodged a report on 12.03.2008 at around 02.30 A.M. at Police Station, Rehli that his wife and two children got burnt to death when the fire suddenly broke out in the house. According to him, his wife came running in a burnt condition and fell upon him, he tried to douse the fire and in the process, got his hands burnt. It is stated that he also tried to save the children, but they got burnt to death.