STATE OF HIMACHAL PRADESH Vs. MURARI LAL

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal under Section 378 of the Code of Criminal Procedure is directed against judgment of acquittal dated 2.12.2006 passed by learned Presiding Officer, Fast Track Court, Mandi, District Mandi, H.P. in Sessions Trial Nos. 10/2002, 9/2005 whereby he acquitted all the accused under Section 498A and Section 307 IPC.

(2.) WHEN the matter came up before this Court on 14.5.2007, leave to appeal was granted only against respondent No. 1.

(3.) BRIEFLY stated the prosecution case is that the complainant Satyavati (PW-3) was married to accused Murari Lal during 1995 and her relation with the accused remained cordial for about 11/2 years but thereafter the accused started harassing her on account of dowry regarding which disclosure was made to Chandravati (PW-7) sister of the complainant and Prem Singh (PW-9) brother of the complainant. On 16.1.2001 in the evening Satyavati (PW-3) returned to village Kigas from the house of her parents and the accused started quarrelling with her and in the morning on 17.1.2001 at about 7.30 A.M. Satyavati was beaten by her husband and parents-in-law and at 8.30 A.M. accused Murari Lal sprinkled kerosene oil upon Satyavati and set her on fire.