SATNAM SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant Satnam Singh through this appeal has sought to lay challenge to judgment order dtd. 6/8/2004 of the court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Moga whereby the appellant has been found guilty for the commission of offence under Sec. 306 I PC and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years and to pay a fine of Rs.5000.00 and in default of payment of fine to further undergo R1 for six months.

(2.) Heard Mr. Gurveer Sidhu, Advocate as Amicus Curiae for the appellant; Mr. Rakeshinder Singh Sidhu, AAG, Punjab for the State and perused the records.

(3.) On 31/10/2001, a QST message was received by Station House Officer of Police Station, City-II, Moga that Charanjit Kaur now deceased wife of the appellant was admitted in Civil Hospital, Moga with burn injuries, on the basis of which the police official went to the hospital and after securing medical ruqa obtained opinion of the doctor as to the fitness of the injured to record her statement and being found fit, the police official ASI Gurmohan Singh recorded statement of the complainant. In her statement, the deceased stated that she was aged around 23/24 years and was married about four years with the appellant. On account of death of her close relations, she had gone to her parental house on Saturday telling the appellant that she would return by Monday but on account of some delay she returned a bit late and the appellant husband got infuriated and gave her slaps and fist blows. It is as a sequel to this, the complainant on 30/10/2001 around 9.00 PM sprinkled kerosene oil and set herself on fire. It was also alleged by the complainant that her husband often used to tease her for not begetting him a child and on account of which he often used to assault her. After the complainant set herself aflame, the husband tried to extinguish the fire and rushed her to the Civil Hospital but she died. Upon completion of investigations and necessary formalities the appellant was put to trial.