RAJENDER ALIAS LILU Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Tersely, the facts & evidence, unfolded during the course of trial, culminating in the commencement, relevant for deciding the instant appeal and emanating from the record, as claimed by the prosecution, are that the marriage of appellant-Rajender alias Lilu son of Tej Ram(for brevity "the appellant") was solemnized with Raj Kumari, sister of complainant-Dharam Singh(PW3)(for short "the complainant") son of late Sh.Shanti Lal, on 30.06.1999, according to Hindu Rites and Ceremonies. Sufficient dowry articles were stated to have been given at the time of marriage, but the accused were not satisfied with the same. Soon after the marriage, they started taunting her on the ground that they were expecting the dowry articles worth Rs. 3 lacs, but her brothers had given the dowry articles of Rs. 1 lac only.

(2.) The case of the prosecution was that, the appellant gave beatings and compelled her to bring motorcycle, colour TV and Rs. 30,000/- in cash from her brothers, for arranging his job. When the complainant had gone to the matrimonial home of his sister, then the accused had abused & insulted and sent Raj Kumari with them from outside of the house. When he asked his sister the reason of their insult, then she narrated that the accused had started maltreating her soon after the marriage, on account of bringing insufficient dowry. Then the complainant paid Rs. 10,000/- to the accused, to settle his sister in the matrimonial home, but the behaviour of the accused remained same. They again started maltreating her and renewed their demand of cash, motorcycle and colour TV, failing which, they threatened her with dire consequences of elimination. In the month of September, the accused had turned Raj Kumari out from the matrimonial home and asked her to bring motorcycle and colour TV, otherwise, she would face the same music. The complainant, his brothers and mother requested the accused to treat her nicely, but in vain. She stayed in her parental house till December. The mother of the complainant asked her sons to leave Raj Kumari in her matrimonial home. Consequently, the complainant and his brother Rajesh(PW4) took her to matrimonial home and paid Rs. 5,000/- to the accused, but the things did not improve.

(3.) The version of the prosecution further proceeds that, on 01.02.2000 (mid-night), two persons of village Gawal Pahari, came and informed the complainant that his sister was seriously ill and was admitted in the hospital at Gurgaon. Then the complainant and his brother Rajesh accompanied them. They, instead of taking to the hospital at Gurgaon, straightway took them to village Gawal Pahari, where the accused were already present there. On enquiry, the accused threatened the complainant and his brother with dire consequences in the similar fashion, as they had hanged their sister. Then they took them to the cremation ground, where the dead-body of Raj Kumari was lying on pyre. They noticed the ligature mark on her neck and blood was oozing out from her nose and face. She was stated to have been killed by the accused, on account of demand of dowry.