RIPAN DAS Vs. STATE OF TRIPURA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal has been filed against the Judgment and Order of conviction dtd. 22/9/2023 passed in S.T.(T-1) 08 of 2019 by the Learned Sessions Judge, North Tripura, Dharmanagar. By this judgment, the Learned Judge sentenced the appellant to rigorous imprisonment for three years and imposed a fine of Rs.5,000.00 for the offence punishable under Sec. 498-A of the IPC. In default of payment, the appellant is to undergo further imprisonment for six months. The appellant has been also sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for five years and fined Rs.5,000.00 for the offence punishable under Sec. 306 of the IPC, with a default stipulation.

(2.) The brief facts of the case are that on 24/7/2017, one Anil Mahishya Das filed an ejahar stating, inter alia, that on 2/7/2012, the appellant-Ripan Das and his wife Rebati Das (now deceased) eloped due to a love affair and subsequently got married. A baby girl was born out of their wedlock. Thereafter, the appellant began subjecting his wife to mental and physical torture, demanding a plot of land and cash to construct a hut. The victim informed her father, who expressed his inability to meet these demands due to financial constraints. Despite this, the appellant continued to torture his wife. Neighbours attempted to mediate, but to no avail. On 22/7/2017, the victim, unable to bear the torture, committed suicide in the appellant's house at Birajanagar, Satsangam Gaon Panchayat under Kadamtala P.S., North Tripura. The informant lodged an ejahar at Kadamtala P.S., which was registered as Kadamtala P.S. Case No. 2017 KDL 029 dtd. 24/7/2017.

(3.) Upon completion of the investigation, the investigating officer submitted a charge sheet against the appellant under Ss. 498-A and 304B of the Indian Penal Code. Charges were later framed under Ss. 498-A and 306 IPC. The prosecution examined 27 witnesses and exhibited various documents in support of its case.