RAJESH KUMAR AND ANOTHER Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellants had faced trial in FIR No.148 dated 14.5.1998 under Sections 307, 498-A, 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'Code') registered at Police Station Ludhiana. Prosecution story, in brief, is that the complainant- Usha Rani had got married to appellant-Rajesh Kumar about four years prior to the occurrence. Parents of the complainant had given sufficient dowry at the time of her marriage. However, appellants maltreated the complainant on account of insufficiency of dowry.

(2.) Complainant gave birth to a son and a daughter out of her wedlock with appellant-Rajesh Kumar. Appellants were forcing the complainant to bring Rs. 60,000/- from her parents in order to repay the loan taken by them. However, the complainant showed her inability to bring the said amount. On 13.5.1998 at about 8.45 a.m., complainant was sitting on a sofa in her room. Appellants came inside the room and appellant-Shakuntla Devi sprinkled kerosene oil on the complainant,whereas, appellant-Rajesh Kumar threw the burning match stick and as a result, complainant suffered burn injuries. Sofa on which the complainant was sitting had also caught fire. On hearing alarm raised by the complainant,Ravinder Kumar and Sonu came to the spot and appellants fled away from the spot. Coming to know about the incident, Kirpa Ram, father of the complainant and Joginder Jain came to the spot. Complainant was removed to the Civil hosptial for treatment.

(3.) After completion of investigation and necessary formalities, challan was presented against the appellants. Charge was framed against the appellants-Rajesh Kumar and Shakuntala Devi under Sections 307, 498-A IPC by the trial Court vide order dated 12.10.1998, In order to prove its case, prosecution examined six witnesses.