STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH Vs. SANJEEV KUMAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS is an appeal filed by the State of H.P. under Section 378 Cr.P.C. against the judgment of the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Una, dated 25.6.2003, vide which he acquitted the respondents of the charge framed against them under Sections 498 -A, 306/34 I.P.C.

(2.) BRIEFLY stated, the facts of the case are that on 24.8.2001 at 6.00 P.M., statement under Section 154 Cr.P.C. was made by PW -2 Kamal Kumar, brother of deceased Sonia. He alleged in the statement that Sonia was married on 22.3.1999 with Sanjeev Kumar, respondent, who was living at Ludhiana in a rented accommodation. His sister was living there alongwith her husband after marriage and the respondent used to maltreat her and give her beatings under the influence of liquor. Last year, when he brought his sister Sonia to the village, she told him that her husband, respondent No. 1, mother -in -law and sister -in -law, respondents No. 2 and 3 maltreated her and taunted her and gave her beatings. He has taken his sister to Ludhiana and from there in March, 2001, brought his sister to village Charoli. Sanjeev's mother and aunt came to their house and assured that Sonia will not be given beatings and she was sent to village Charoli. Respondent Sanjeev Kumar used to ask the deceased to bring money from her in -laws and at times her mother had give Rs. 1000/ -, Rs. 500/ -and Rs. 100/ -. It was also alleged that the mother -in -law of the deceased used to proclaim that they will perform the second marriage of Sanjeev, since she was black coloured and was not doing the house hold work. Two days ago, he had gone to bring his sister on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan, but she was not sent by respondents No. 1 and 2 and she thereafter took some poisonous substance because of the maltreatment meted out to her.

(3.) WE have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record of the case.