GIAN SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal directed by the accused -appellant Gian Singh against the judgment and order dated 8.8.2003 passed by Sh. A.K. Sharma, Sessions Judge, Gurdaspur, vide which the accused appellant has been convicted under Section 498 -A IPC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 3 years and to pay a fine of Rs. 3,000/ - and in default of payment of fine to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for six months.

(2.) BRIEFLY stated, Gian Singh and his mother Harbhajan Kaur were put to trial in respect of offence under Section 304 -B IPC by SHO Police Station Sirihargobindpur, vide FIR No. 135 dated 18.11.2000.

(3.) THE facts as enumerated from the record are that Shamsher Singh complainant made a statement that he is brother of deceased Paramjit Kaur. Paramjit Kaur was married with accused Gian Singh on 26.11.1998 in accordance with sikh rites and sufficient dowry was given at the time of marriage. However, accused Gian Singh and his mother Harbhajan Kaur started harassing and maltreating his sister by compelling her to bring more dowry articles. His sister also raised grievance that demand of dowry articles was being made alongwith money. Complainant persuaded her to live in her in -laws house with assurance that they will arrange for the dowry as and when they will be in comfortable financial position. His sister gave birth to a son about one year prior to this occurrence and they presented clothes and other customary articles in accordance to their capacity to the inlaws of Paramjit Kaur. His sister again complained to him on his visit that her husband and mother -in -law ill treated her for more dowry. On 18.11.2000 Satnam Singh brother of accused Gian Singh informed him in Police Station Ghuman that his sister Paramjit Kaur had taken some poisonous medicine and she had been taken to the Civil Hospital, Batala by accused Gian Singh. He rushed to Civil Hospital, Batala at about 9.00 a.m. Where his sister was lying dead and Gian Singh was not present.