RADHA KRISHAN Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal against judgment dated 19.9.1992 of Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana, whereby appellants Radha Krishan, Ved Parkash and Chameli Devi were convicted for offence under Section 304-B IPC and sentenced to undergo RI for seven years.

(2.) PROSECUTION case against the appellants was that Santosh Devi daughter of Sita Ram complainant was married to Ved Parkash accused/appellant on 31.1.1990. About Rs. 1,25,000/- were spent on that marriage by Sita Ram complainant. After 15 days of her marriage, Santosh Devi came to her parents house and stated that her mother-in-law Chameli Devi, father-in-law Radha Krishan, husband Ved Parkash, Sajjan Kumar and Raj Kumar brothers of the husband and Shakuntla Devi wife of Sajjan Kumar were harassing her on the pretext that she had brought meager dowry. Rs. 50,000/- were demanded. Sita Ram showed his inability to pay. He somehow paid Rs. 20,000/- in July 1990 by withdrawing it from Jangpur branch of Oriental Bank of Commerce, but accused continued demanding Rs. 30,000/- and threatened that, failing which, they will pour kerosene oil on Santosh Devi and will kill her. On 25.9.990, Santosh Devi was admitted to D.M.C. Ludhiana with burn injuries and she died on the same evening.

(3.) DURING trial, Sajjan Kumar and Raj Kumar had died. Shakuntla Devi was acquitted, whereas Radha Krishan, Ved Parkash and Chemeli Devi were convicted for offence under Section 304-B IPC and sentenced as aforesaid.