TARSEM SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This appeal is preferred against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed by Additional Sessions Judge, Ferozepur, on 01.04.2004, whereby the appellant was convicted and sentenced for the offence punishable under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code (short for IPC) directing that he would undergo rigorous imprisonment for six years and to pay a fine of Rs.3,000/-, in default of which the period of imprisonment would be extended by six months.

(2.) Initially the FIR lodged by complainant Balwant Singh was under Section 302 IPC, but charge sheet was filed for the offences punishable under Sections 304-B and 498-A IPC.

(3.) The appellant alongwith his parents Gurdip Singh and Veero Bai were put to trial on the allegations that Paramjit Kaur daughter of the complainant consumed insecticide on 28.11.2000 and died as a result of that. The complainant informed the police that the deceased was married to the appellant about two years before her death and was kept well by the accused persons for about six months. Thereafter, they started maltreating her. They used to find fault with whole her work and used to beat her. She would narrate her tale of woes to the complainant and other members of her family. However, as per tradition, she was sent back. A few days before her death, she had been beaten and turned out of the matrimonial home, but she was taken back to the matrimonial home by her brother Major Singh as assurance was given by Jalla Singh, Member Panchayat. This was only 4-5 days before she died. The complainant was informed about the incident and he reached the house of the accused and found his daughter dead.