GURMAIL KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Gurmail Kaur (aged 55 years) wife of Major Singh and her daughter Sarabjit Kaur (aged 22 years) stand convicted under sections 302 IPC vide impugned judgment of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Ludhiana dated 5.3.2005 and are sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs 10,000/- each, in default thereof to undergo RI for a period of two years.

(2.) It needs to be mentioned here that the present appellants were charged for Section 302 IPC substantively and were also charged along with their co-accused under sections 304-B and 498-A IPC. They, however, stand acquitted for sections 304-B and 498-A IPC. Major Singh and Joga Singh, the co-accused were charged for Section 302/34, 304-B and 498-A IPC and have since been acquitted of all the charges. Learned State counsel submits that the State of Punjab has not preferred any appeal against their acquittal.

(3.) The deceased in this case is Karamjit Kaur who was married to Malkiat Singh son of Gurmail Kaur and brother of Sarabjit Kaur appellants on 20.11.1997. Karamjit Kaur died an un-natural death in her matrimonial home within 14 months of her marriage. The present case hinges upon her dying declaration recorded in Civil Hospital, Ludhiana where she was got admitted after receiving burn injuries.