PARGAT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Pargat Singh, present appellant was married with Rajwant Kaur, three years before the date of occurrence. At the time of occurrence, Rajwant Kaur was the mother of a son aged 1 years. Rajwant Kaur on 2.2.1998 at about 1.30 P.M. suffered burn injuries. She died on the way to hospital. Balbir Singh, father of Rajwant Kaur had lodged the FIR No.10 dated 3.2.1998 registered at Police Station Sadar, Tarn Taran under Sections 304-B read with Section 34 IPC (Ex.PW7/C), in which he nominated present appellant Pargat Singh along with his father Dalbir Singh, mother Mohinder Kaur and sister Rani as accused.

(2.) The above-said FIR was investigated. A report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was submitted against the appellant, his parents and sister Rani. However, sister Rani was found innocent and placed in column No.2, but she was subsequently summoned under Section 319 Cr.P.C. The case was committed to the Court of Sessions Judge, Amritsar. Sessions Judge, Amritsar charged the appellant along with his co-accused for offence under Sections 120-B and 304-B IPC. The appellants pleaded not guilty and claimed a trial.

(3.) The trial Judge vide impugned judgment dated 3.10.2000 held the present appellant guilty of offence under Section 304-B IPC and vide a separate order of even date, he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years. Co-accused of the appellant were acquitted of offence under Section 304-B IPC. The appellant was also acquitted of offence under Section 120-B IPC. Aggrieved against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 3.10.2000, the appellant has preferred the present appeal.