SURESH KUMAR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE appellant faced trial of the charge under Section 304 -B of Indian Penal Code (IPC) and in the alternative Section 306 IPC, alongwith his father Lachhman Prajapati. Learned trial Court granted the benefit of doubt to father of the appellant and acquitted him of the charges framed against him. The appellant was, however, convicted of the charge under Section 304 -B IPC and awarded him the sentence to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years. As per custody certificate placed on record by learned State counsel, the appellant has undergone more than 3 years and 6 months of imprisonment.

(2.) LACHHMI daughter of the complainant was about 20 years old at the time of her marriage with appellant. The marriage was solemnized on 29.05.2011. The appellant is native of village Sohna, Police Station Wazirganj, District Gonda, Utter Pradesh and they were presently settled in Muslim Colony, Sherpur Kalan, Ludhiana. The parents of the girl are residents of Amritsar.

(3.) HOWEVER , at about 01.15 p.m. on 25.12.2011, father of the appellant made a phone call to the complainant that his daughter has committed suicide by hanging. Dharminder aforesaid was informed who immediately went to the house of deceased and found dead body of the deceased hanging with ceiling fan. The complainant immediately proceeded to Ludhiana alongwith relatives. It was stated that the girl has committed suicide because of cruelty committed on her for being harassed on account of demand of dowry. It was further stated that the appellant and his family members had been quarreling with the deceased.