RAJINDER KUMAR ALIAS SONU Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This is an appeal against the judgment/order dated 7.03.2002 whereby he convicted the appellant under Sec. 302 Indian Penal Code and sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000.00, in default, to further undergo RI for six months.

(2.) The case of the prosecution is unfolded by the statement Ex.PB/2 of Kamlesh Kumari daughter of Mykoo Lall aged 15/16 years, given to Shri Tarsem Mangla, J.M.I.C. Amritsar at 12 noon on 27.03.2000. Kamlesh Kumari stated that yesterday, at about 7/8 p.m. she was present in her house, when Rajinder Kumar alias Sonu who works in a tea manufacturing factory in New Golden Avenue, came from outside. He called Kamlesh Kumari and enquired from her about a letter. Kamlesh Kumari addressed him as Haramzada and questioned him as to why she would write a letter to him. On this, Rajinder Kumar got enraged. He had a tin box in his hand containing kerosene oil, which he poured on her and thereafter set her on fire. Kamlesh Kumari raised a hue and cry and Rajinder Kumar ran away. Kamlesh Kumari's father had in the meanwhile come to the spot. He extinguished the fire. In the process, the hands of her father got burnt. Rajinder Kumar was known to Kamlesh Kumari for a long time and he wanted to marry her, but her parents were against this proposal. Further, she stated in her statement that since Rajinder Kumar had set her on fire, he should be punished severely. On the basis of this statement, F.I.R. Ex.PK/2 was registered on 27.03.2000 at 2.30 p.m. Special report reached the J.M.I.C., Amritrsar on the same day at 4 p.m.

(3.) The prosecution to prove its case, brought into the witness-box Shri Tarsem Mangla PW-1, Dr. Amarjit Singh PW-2, Dr. Harjinder Singh Sidhu PW-3, HC Mangal Singh PW-4, Constable Pardip Kumar PW-5, LC Sukhdev Raj PW-6, Roop Rani PW-7, Maykoo Lal PW-8 and Inspector Baldev Singh PW-9.