JAGANNATH PRADHAN Vs. STATE OF ORISSA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The order dated March 25, 1995 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Puri in Sessions Trial No.51/280 of 1992 convicting the appellants under Sec. 302, I.P.C. and sentencing them to undergo R.I. for life has been assailed in these appeals.

(2.) The prosecution case succinctly stated is as follows:

(3.) After the marriage, the relationship between the deceased Harsamani and the appellants had deteriorated from bad to worse. Her mother -in -law also used to torture her on many occasions. She was not allowed to go to her father's house, although the informant made attempts to take her on 3 to 4 occasions. On 11.8.1990, appellant Jagannath Pradhan came to the house of the informant at about 8 A.M. and told him that the deceased had left her matrimonial home in the previous night without informing anyone and asked him if at all she was in his house. The informant and other family members were awestruck after hearing the news about missing of the deceased. They went hither and thither to trace out the deceased, but to no avail. In course of search, the informant found Harsamani Pradhan floating dead in the tank of one Bula Sahu of Hata Sahi. Therefore, he lodged a written report at about 10 A.M. on 12.8.1990 at Pipili Police Station suspecting foul play in the death of his sister and requested the local police to take action against the culprits. Immediately after receipt of the information, the Inspector -in -charge of Pipili Police Station registered P.S.Case No. 154 of 1990 under Ss. 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act and Sec. 306, I.P.C. and directed one of the A.S.Is. of Police (P.W. 13) to take up investigation.