SANJOY SONKAR Vs. STATE OF WEST BENGAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against the judgment and order of sentence dated November 18, 2005 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Sealdah, in Sessions Trial No. 1(12)04/Sessions Case No. 27(7)04 convicting the accused/appellant under sections 498A/302 of the Indian Penal Code. The learned Sessions Judge sentenced the accused/petitioner to suffer imprisonment for life and with fine of Rs. 5,000/- (Rupees five thousand) only for the offence under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code. In default of payment of fine, he was to suffer imprisonment for one year. In addition, he was, also, sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for three years and with fine of Rs. 1,000/- (Rupees one thousand) only. In default of payment of such fine, he was to suffer imprisonment for three months for commission of offence under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. Both the sentences were to run concurrently.

(2.) Admittedly, the victim was the wife of the accused. The victim was staying at the relevant point of time in her mother's house. The husband arrived at about 3 p.m. on February 24, 2004 in his in-laws place. The wife asked the husband to work for his earnings. He got annoyed. The husband and the wife were quarrelling. The husband poured kerosene on the body of the wife and set her on fire. The occurrence took place in his in laws place at about 4 p.m.

(3.) Some local people found that smoke was emitting from the room and they removed the tiles of the roof and rescued the victim. The victim was taken to R.G. Kar Medical College Hospital.