STATE OF H P Vs. RAMESH KUMAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) State has filed the present appeal, assailing the judgment of acquittal, dated 30th July, 1999, delivered by the Sessions Court, whereby respondents have been acquitted of charge, under Section 306 read with Section 34 IPC.

(2.) Deceased Raj Kumari was married to respondent Ramesh Kumar, some time in the year 1989. Respondent Bal Krishan is the father, respondent Ram Lali, the mother and Paras Ram, the Mama (mother's brother) of respondent Ramesh Kumar. On the day of the marriage, when articles of dowry were displayed at the bride's place, respondents allegedly expressed displeasure over the father of the bride, not giving a coloured television and a motorcycle in dowry. Whether reporters of the local papers may be allowed to see the judgment? This led to a quarrel and consequential bitterness of relations. Father of deceased, namely PW-2 Ram Kishore, arranged a black & white television. Bitterness generated at the time of marriage did not vanish. Respondents allegedly started torturing and ill-treating the deceased. She gave birth to a female child.

(3.) On 16th July, 1993, Raj Kumari consumed insecticide, branded as `Nuvan'. Respondent Ramesh Kumar was in his shop, adjacent to the residential portion, at that time. Other respondents were not there. Respondent Ramesh Kumar came to know about the consumption of poison by the deceased, only when he heard the child crying and went to the residential portion. He saw the deceased lying unconscious. He immediately rushed her to Deen Dayal Hospital. Doctor at the hospital, namely PW-8 Manjula Gupta, informed the police. PW-7 ASI Naresh Kumar went to the hospital. Raj Kumari died the same day. Postmortem examination of her dead body was conducted on 20th July, 1993, when her parents arrived from Uttar Pradesh.