MEENA DEVI Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants have been convicted under Sections 304B/34 and 201 IPC and sentenced to RI for ten years and one year respectively by the 2nd Additional Sessions Judge, Vaishali at Hajipur in S.Tr. No. 214 of 1993 by a judgment dated 30.06.1997.

(2.) The case of the prosecution according to the informant, P.W. 8 is that his daughter had been married with Khakhanu Roy 2 about two years ago but she was consistently harassed on account of non-fulfilment of demand of a motorcycle. About 2-3 months back appellants Ram Bilash Roy and Khakhanu Roy had attempted to put her on fire by pouring kerosene oil on account of which she burnt and thereafter she was removed to Mahua Hospital where in front of Doctor a Panchnama was prepared in which the appellant had also signed stating therein that he would look after the deceased. It was learnt by the informant that his daughter had been burnt to death and cremated in the orchard by the accused persons.

(3.) The defence of the appellant was that the deceased had died when her saree caught fire while preparing meal in the morning and the Doctor was called after the occurrence who declared her dead then she was cremated in full public view in presence of the co-villagers.