BRAJESH RAI AND ORS Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard learned counsel for the appellants and the State.

(2.) The appellants have been convicted under Section 366 read with 34 of the Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years.

(3.) The prosecution case, as alleged, is that the case proceeded on the basis of complaint filed by the complainant, Radhika Devi, that her husband works in Delhi and the complainant lives with her daughter, Kanta Kumari, aged 15 years, her village and works as labourer (maid) for her livelihood. It is alleged that accused no. 1 is ex-land lord, accused no. 2 is his daughter-in-law, accused no. 4 and 5 are book vendors, accused no. 6 is the nephew and the land on which the house of the complainant stands belongs to Madan Pandit, the exland lord and so the complainant used to work for him as labourer (maid). On 29.03.1989 it is alleged that Mst Naraini Kunwer asked the complainant to send Kanta for cooking food and she, again, called Kanta on 30.03.1989 and on the next day the informant found the house locked and no one was present. It is, further, alleged that the witnesses went to enquire at Gorakhpur and then they returned with Mahesh Rai and Brajesh Rai and they admitted that they have taken Kanta to marry her and the marriage will be solemnized with one Pradip Pandey.