SEWA RAM Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants impugn the validity of their conviction at the hands of trial Judge on a charge under Section 304- B/34 IPC, vide judgment dated 5-3-2003. Vide separate order dated 6-3-2003, they were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years each and to pay a fine of Rs. 2,000/- each and in default of payment of fine, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for two months each. However, accused Balwinder Singh was given the benefit of doubt and was acquitted.

(2.) The necessary facts as adumbrated in the impugned judgment are that Chuni Lal, father of Paramjit Kaur, deceased reported to the police of Police Station Dhariwal on 15-3-1999 that his daughter Paramjit Kaur was married with accused Rajinder Pal about one and half year prior to 15-3-1999. About two months prior to the incident, a female child was born to Paramjit Kaur at his house because Rajinder Pal, his son-in-law has already left Paramjit Kaur in her parental house. Thereafter Rajinder Pal took his wife Paramjit Kaur to his village. On 14-3-1999, he received a telephonic message that Paramjit Kaur had succumbed to fire injuries in her in-laws house. He reached village Babri Nangal in a shocked state of mind and he told the police that his daughter got burnt by Stove flames. He made the statement on the information provided by the in-laws of deceased Paramjit Kaur who were present there. Later on, he came to know that all the accused used to harass Paramjit Kaur, deceased for bringing less dowry. The harassment and torture increased when she gave birth to a female child. The torture and harassment was severe to such an extent that deceased Paramjit Kaur, committed suicide.

(3.) On the basis of above statement of the complainant, a case under Section 304-B read with Section 34 IPC was registered against the accused.