AMRIK RAI Vs. SAT PAL SOOD

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner father has been disentitled to the custody of his two minor children by the trial Court. He appeals. The children are now with their maternal grand-parents, the respondents.

(2.) Smt. Rani, wife of the appellant, admittedly suffered burn injuries on Oct. 28, 1977 and as a result of that, expired on Oct. 31, 1977. Since that date the children are in the custody of the respondents.

(3.) As a result of the above noted incident, the appellant was branded as a murderer and was tried by the District and Sessions Judge, Amritsar. He, however, was acquitted. This judgment of the Sessions Judge was challenged in appeal (Criminal Appeal No. 1059 of 1978, State of Punjab v. Amrik Rai) but the same was dismissed on Jan. 21, 1981.