HARBANS SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Harbans Singh, the appellant has been held guilty for an offence punishable under section 304-B IPC vide judgment dated 19.4.1997 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Jalandhar in a case registered by way of FIR No.64 dated 4.5.1994 at Police Station Nakodar, District Jalandhar. He has been sentenced vide an order of the same date to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years and to pay fine of Rs. 1000/- for the aforesaid offence with further rigorous imprisonment for a period of three months in default of payment of fine. It may be mentioned here itself that Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, Veena Rani and Balbir Kaur, the co-accused of the appellant were acquitted vide the same judgment.

(2.) The brief facts of the case against the appellant and others had been that Harpreet Kaur daughter of Udham Singh, aged about 25 years, was married with Harbans Singh about 2-1/2 years earlier to 4.5.1994. A son, aged about 1-1/2 years, was born to Harpreet Kaur from the loins of Harbans Singh. About 2 months after the marriage, Harbans Singh left India for Dubai leaving Harpreet Kaur at her matrimonial home. Some time thereafter, Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, Balbir Kaur and Veena Rani, started harassing Harpreet Kaur. Having been fed up with their behaviour, she came to her parental home and started living there. She stayed at her parental home for about 2 months and thereafter as her father-in-law, Jagan Nath, suffered injury, she returned to her matrimonial home. Harpreet Kaur often complained to her parents that Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, Veena Rani and Balbir Kaur used to harass her for bringing insufficient dowry. She was also pressurized for bringing some more dowry and money from her parents.

(3.) Udham Singh many a times came to the matrimonial home of Harpreet Kaur with his son Manjit Singh and tried to prevail upon Paramjit Singh alias Pamma, Veena Rani and Balbir Kaur. He requested them not to harass his daughter pleading that he has been a poor person. Accused, however, did not improve upon their behaviour. About 2-1/2 months prior to 4.5.1994, Harbans Singh, husband of Harpreet Kaur returned from Dubai to his village Heran. He started siding with his brother and sisters.