SAH ALOM Vs. STATE OF ASSAM

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard Mr. A. Ahmed, learned counsel appearing for the appellant. We have also heard Ms. B. Bhuyan, learned Additional Public Prosecutor, Assam, appearing for the State/respondent No.1. None has appeared for the informant/respondent No.2.

(2.) Assailing the judgment dated 22.03.2018 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge (FTC), North Salmara, Abhayapuri, in Sessions Case No.130(J)/2012 convicting the sole appellant Md. Sah Alom for committing the murder of his wife Monuwara Begum and sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life and also to pay fine of Rs.10,000/- and in default, suffer rigorous imprisonment for 6 (six) months, the instant appeal has been filed. The facts and circumstances giving rise to the present appeal are as follows.

(3.) On 25.08.2012, Md. Golbahar Ali (PW-1) i.e. the father of the victim had lodged an ejahar before the Officer-in-charge, Jogighopa Police Station reporting that his daughter Monuwara Begum got married with the accused No.1 (present appellant) about two years back as per the social norms and customs but after a few days of their marriage the accused No.1, on instigation of other accused persons, had started torturing his daughter physically and mentally by demanding dowry. In spite of that his daughter had continued to lead her conjugal life with the accused No.1. On 24.08.2012, at around 6.30 p.m., the accused No.1, on being ordered by the other accused persons and with the intention to kill his daughter, had set Monuwara Begum on fire by pouring kerosene upon her when she was cooking food. As a result of the same, his daughter had sustained grievous injuries. Immediately, the brother of the accused No.1 took his daughter to the Bongaigaon Civil Hospital for treatment and at the time of filing of the F.I.R. his daughter was undergoing treatment therein. In the F.I.R. dated 25.08.2012, five accused persons had been named including the present appellant as accused No.1.