ASHOK PANDIT Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant Ashok Pandit has been found guilty for an offence punishable under Section 304B, 201, 34 of the I.P.C. and consolidately sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 10 years vide judgment of conviction dated 31.03.2015 and order of sentence dated 07.04.2015 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge-5th, Samastipur in Sessions Trial No.196 of 2013.

(2.) On 21.04.2012 at about 12.00 noon, informant, Shobhit Pandit (PW-3), who happens to be father of deceased Lalita Kumari gave his fardbayan alleging inter alia that his daughter Lalita Kumari was married with Ashok Pandit about one and half years ago. At the time of marriage, he had gifted according to his means, but few days after the marriage, sasuralwala of Lalita Kumari advanced demand of motorcycle, which on account of financial constrain, he failed to fulfil as a result of which, his daughter was put on torture consistently. Today, he has been informed that her sasuralwala has caused dowry death by way of putting her on fire and they also unsuccessfully tried to conceal the dead body to screen themselves, whereupon he came to Sadar Hospital and found the dead body in burnt condition. Accordingly, he alleged that in between 20/21.04.2012, his son-in-law, father-in-law, mother-in-law, brother-in-law (Bhainsur) and sister-in-law (Gotni of his daughter) committed dowry death.

(3.) Chakmehshi P. S. Case No.36 of 2012 was registered under Section 304B, 201, 34 of the I.P.C., whereupon investigation was taken up and after completing the same, charge sheet was submitted on the basis of which, cognizance was taken paving way for trial before the Court of Sessions which culminated with the result, the subject matter of instant appeal.