(1.) This appeal is directed against the judgment of Additional Sessions Judge, Faridkot, convicting the appellant under section 302 of the Indian Penal Code and sentencing her to imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.1,000.00 in default of payment of fine to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for four months.
(2.) The prosecution version, in brief, is that Veer Pal Kaur was present at her house at about 5 p.m. on 1/4/1989 when Sheela Rani, appellant, their neighbour came to her house and demanded Kerosene Oil. Veer Pal Kaur and her that Kerosene oil was not available in the house, however, petrol was available and the same was lying in a plastic cane. On this, Sheela Rani picked up the cane containing petrol and poured the same on the person of Veer Pal Kaur. Soon Sheela Rani picked up match box and set Veer Pal Kaurs clothes on fire. Veer Pal Kaur raised alarm mar diiti mar ditti she was soon engulfed by the fire and fell down in the room. Nachhattar Singh, her brother, happened to come to his home, found her sister in a precarious condition, raised alarm and made attempt to extinguish fire. She was soon removed to the Civil Hospital Kot Kapura where Doctor Pavittar Kaur (PW 1) examined her.
(3.) Doctor Pavittar Kaur sent ruqa Ex. PC to the police station City Kotkapura. On receipt of this ruqa, Head Constable Jagroop Singh went to the civil hospital, moved an application Ex. PA before the doctor to know whether Veer Pal Kaur injured was fit to make any statement. On this, Doctor declared the injured fit to make statement vide her endorsement Ex. PA/1. Jagroop Singh, Head Constable in the presence of Doctor Pavittar Kaur (P.W. 1) recorded the statement of Veer Pal Kaur. Statement was read over to her who thumb marked the same in token of its correctness. Doctor Pavittar Kaur (P.W. 1) made endorsement Ex. PB/1 on the foot of the statement of injured Veer Pal Kaur (since deceased). Jagroop Singh made endorsement Ex. PB/2 and sent the same to the police station, on the basis of which, FIR Ex. PB/3 was recorded.