JAGJIT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) CHALLENGED in the present revision petition is the judgment dated 10.12.2014 passed by learned Addl. Sessions Judge (Adhoc), Fast Track Court, Gurdaspur, affirming the judgment and order dated 19.11.2013 passed by learned Judicial Magistrate 1st Class, Gurdaspur, vide which the present revisionist was convicted under Sections 498 -A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short 'IPC') and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/ -, in default thereof to undergo further rigorous imprisonment for one month. At the same time, the learned Magistrate had acquitted the co -accused, namely, Santokh Singh, Krishanjit Kaur and Harjit Kaur, father -in -law, mother -in -law and sister -in -law of the complainant of the charges framed against them. The present revisionist was also acquitted of the charges under Sections 494, 323 and 406 IPC. By the same judgment, learned Addl. Sessions Judge (Adhoc), Fast Track Court, Gurdaspur also dismissed the appeal filed by the State, challenging the acquittal of Santokh Singh, Krishanjit Kaur and Harjit Kaur.

(2.) AS per prosecution case, the complainant was married with accused -revisionist Santokh Singh on 29.01.2007. It is stated that at the time of marriage, ten tolas of gold ornaments, washing machine, almirah, television, cash, clothes and Rs. 20,000/ - etc. were given as dowry. After one month of the marriage, accused -revisionist left for foreign country and returned back after one year. The accused -revisionist then told the complainant that he had to go to America from Moscow and needed Rs. 10,00,000/ - (rupees ten lacs only) and asked her to bring the said amount from her parents. The complainant told the accused -revisionist that her parents are unable to pay such huge amount. On this, the accused -revisionist started teasing, taunting and harassing the complainant.

(3.) ON 14.01.2009, the accused -revisionist again returned from the foreign country accompanied by one foreigner lady, who was living with him as wife. The accused -revisionist (husband) used to beat the complainant on several occasions and foreigner lady used to laugh. The complainant further claimed that her father -in -law Santokh Singh, Krishanjit Kaur, mother -in -law and Harjit Kaur, unmarried sister -in -law and her husband -accused/revisionist used to beat her and forced her to leave the matrimonial home. On 07.02.2009, her in -laws turned her out from the matrimonial home and inflicted injuries on her head.