HARBANS KAUR AND ANOTHER Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Brij Lal (23), a hosiery worker, resident of Pritam Nagar, Ludhiana alongwith his mother Harbans Kaur (55) were tried by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana for the "dowry death" of Brij Lal's wife Baljit Kaur on Feb. 17, 1999. Learned Trial Judge found both guilty under Indian Penal Code and sentenced Brij Lal to rigorous imprisonment for life while Harbans Kaur was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for seven years. They were also sentenced to fine of Rs. 10,000.00 and Rs. 5,000.00 respectively. Brij Lal's sister Manpreet Kaur (26) and her husband Charanjit Singh (32) had also been tried but they were both acquitted.

(2.) Baljit Kaur deceased was the sister of Jai Ram (PW-1) of Madnipur, Police Station Payal, District Ludhiana. She died in her matrimonial home at Pritam Nagar on Feb. 17, 1999. Baljit Kaur had been married to Brij Lal only for about 11/2 years before her death. Couple had a daughter who was born on Sept. 11, 1998. According to Jai Ram, sufficient dowry alongwith a scooter had been given to Brij Lal at the time of marriage but four months after marriage Brij Lal and his co-accused started harassing Baljit Kaur and demanded a car. Four months before her death, Baljit Kaur had given birth to a daughter and due to this her harassment increased. Jai Ram visited Baljit Kaur's matrimonial home on 2/3 occasions and was accompanied by his aunt (Massi)'s son Amarjit Singh and his aunt (Mami). Aaki They requested the accused not to harass Baljit Kaur but this did not have any effect.

(3.) 30th Feb. 17, 1999 at about 12 noon Sarpanch Bahadur Singh of his village received a telephone call from Baljit Kaur who asked him to inform Jai Ram that she was being harassed and dowry was being demanded. She had also asked that Jai Ram should meet her on teat very day otherwise she apprehended that the accused would kill her.