(1.) APPELLANTS have challenged the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 08.04.2003, whereby all the appellants were held guilty for commission of offence under Sections 304 -B and 498 -A IPC and sentenced to undergo as under, vide order dated 08.04.2003: -
(2.) PROCESS of law was set into motion on the basis of complaint made by complainant Kanwar Singh to the police. As per complainant Kanwar Singh, he had two daughters, namely, Mamta and Sarita (since deceased). They were married to Dharampal and Des Raj sons of Ranjit Singh. Marriage of Sarita was solemnized 1 1/2 years back. Mamta gave birth to a son, who was aged about 4 months, while Sarita was not having any child. Both the daughters were living separately. Sufficient dowry articles were given at the time of their marriage. However, both the daughters were being harassed by his sons -in -law and their parents for bringing inadequate dowry. Mamta told this fact when she visited her parental home. Kanwar Singh complainant, his brother Satbir and Bhim Singh, mediator at the time of marriage, visited matrimonial home of Mamta and Sarita and made humble request to Des Raj, Dharampal, Sona Devi and Ranjit Singh to keep and maintain Mamta and Sarita properly but to no effect. The harassment and torture continued.
(3.) ON 03.04.2002, some unknown persons informed the police at about 8.00 PM that a daughter -in -law of Ranjit Singh had died on account of burn injuries. On this information, Bir Singh ASI reached village Gumina and found that Sarita was lying dead because of burn injuries. On this fact, the police started the investigation. Accused persons were arrested. Incriminating material i.e. plastic can having smell of Kerosene was recovered and was sealed on the spot with seal BS. After completion of investigation, challan was presented in the Court.