RANBIR SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By this common order, I am disposing of the instant Criminal Appeal-S- No. 652-SB of 2003 preferred by convict Ranbir Singh as well as Criminal Revision No. 1485 of 2003 preferred by complainant Rajbans Singh because the same have arisen out of common judgment and order dated 19.2.2003 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ferozepur, thereby convicting appellant Ranbir Singh under Section 304-B IPC and sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years and to pay fine of Rs. 5000/- and thereby acquitting appellant's coaccused Dharam Singh and Ravinder Kaur (father and sister respectively of the appellant) of all the charges and also acquitting appellant Ranbir Singh of the offences under Sections 302 and 506 IPC read with Section 34 IPC and Section 27 of the Arms Act,1959.

(2.) In the appeal, the convict has challenged his conviction and sentence whereas in revision petition, the complainant has sought conviction of all the three accused under Sections 302 and 506 read with Section 34 IPC as well as under Sections 25 and 27 of Arms Act.

(3.) The prosecution case in brief is that Inderjit Kaur (since deceased) sister of complainant Rajbans Singh, resident of village Mangat Ker was married with convict-appellant Ranbir Singh of village Jheete about 5 years before the occurrence. A son was born out of the wedlock. Some time after the marriage, all the three accused started taunting the deceased for her failure to bring a car in dowry. They made demand of car. About 2-1/2 years before the occurrence, a panchayat was held. The complainant expressed his inability to give more dowry. However, thereafter, the accused-persons started beating the deceased occasionally. The complainant took her to his village and got her treated. On 11.11.1997, panchayats from both the sides were convened and written compromise was effected between the parties. About a month thereafter, appellant took the deceased to the matrimonial home.