STATE OF ORISSA Vs. SATYANARAYANA DAS AND ORS.

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The State has called in quesion the order of acquittal passed by the learned 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Berhampur in S. C. No. 26 of 1996/SC No. 168 of 1996 (GDC) acquitting the respondents of the charge under sections 498-A/304(B)/201/34, IPC.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is that Urmila, the sister of the informant of the case had married the respondent No. 1- Satyanarayan more than seven years prior to her death. It is stated that the respondents and other family members were subjecting her to cruelty by ill treating her and they were also assaulting and abusing her without supplying food and were coercing her to fulfill demand of dowry of Rs. 5,000/- by making arrangement for being paid by members of her father's family. The informant succumbing to the pressure mounting upon his sister arranged Rs. 2,500/- and had paid it to the respondents. Still then the situation did not improve and it continued as before leading to the result that the deceased Urmila was not able to lead happy conjugal life receiving good treatment from the respondents and others.

(3.) Receiving the information, necessary case was registered and investigation was taken up and on closure of the same, police having submitted the charge-sheet, the respondents faced the trial. It may be stated here that in course of the investigation, the post-mortem examination was made over the dead body of Urmila, seizure of incriminating materials have also taken place and the Investigating Officer examined witnesses with regard to the marriage, living condition of Urmila at her in-laws place and concerning other such related facts.