JANAK RANI Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) JANAK Rani wife of Pawan Kumar along with her daughter Ramandeep and her son-in-law Jaspal Singh son of Gobind Singh was charged under Section 302 read with Section 34 IPC and under Section 201 IPC for intentionally causing the death of her husband Pawan Kumar about 20/25 days earlier to 23.10.1998 when the present case was registered in the shape of FIR No. 291 under Sections 302/201/34 IPC at Police Station Nakodar, District Jalandhar. Jaspal Singh and Ramandeep have since been acquitted whereas the present appellant stands convicted for the aforesaid charges vide impugned judgment of learned Sessions Judge, Jalandhar dated 10.5.2001 and has been sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 5,000/- under Section 302 IPC, in default of payment of fine to further undergo RI for three months. She has also been sentenced to undergo RI for five years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/-, in default of payment of fine to further undergo RI for one month under Section 201 IPC. However, both the sentences have been ordered to run concurrently. Aggrieved by the impugned judgment of conviction and sentence she has preferred the instant appeal. It may be mentioned here that against the acquittal of Jaspal Singh and Ramandeep, State of Punjab has not preferred any appeal.

(2.) THE case of the prosecution runs thus :- Kashmir Singh PW-2 put the police machinery into action when on 23.10.1998 he learnt that quilt tied like bedding was lying near the village pond and was emitting a very foul smell. When he and Ram Pal member Panchayat and one Karnail Chand Chowkidar went to the site, they saw a quilt wrapped up in a bed sheet with the help of strings. The strings were unfastened and it was found that a chadder was wrapped around gunny bag. There was another chadder in which dead body of a young clean shaven person of the age of 20 years. The body was in a decomposed stage and was smelling badly. It was supporting Pyjama and shirt. The dead body could not be identified. Kashmir Singh Sarpanch along with Karnail Chand approached the police and got his statement Ex. PC recorded before SI Sucha Singh PW-14.

(3.) AFTER completion of the investigation, the appellant and her two co-accused were challaned to face trial. As stated above, they were charged under Section 302/201/34 IPC.