DHANNARAM Vs. STATE OF RAJASTHAN

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The appellants herein have been convicted and sentenced as below vide Judgment dtd. 22/9/2017 passed by the learned Additional Sessions Judge (Women Atrocities Cases), Bikaner in Sessions Case No.46/2013: Dhannaram

(2.) They have preferred the instant appeal under Sec. 374(2) Cr.P.C. for assailing the impugned Judgment of conviction and the sentences awarded to them.

(3.) Facts relevant and essential for disposal of the appeal are noted hereinbelow: Jaiti Devi (PW-2) submitted a written report (Ex.P/1) at Police Station Gajner on 21/1/2013 at 02.05 PM. alleging inter alia that her daughter Smt. Magi had been married to the appellant Dhannaram about four years ago. After one year of the marriage, the husband Dhannaram, father-in-law Heeraram, mother-in-law Mohta Devi, Jeth Kanhaiya Lal and Jethani Lichhu Devi started harassing and humiliating Smt. Magi for demand of dowry. In the meantime, her husband Kisnaram expired. Being fed-up by the regular maltreatment of her daughter, Jaiti Devi called Magi Devi back to the maternal home. Six months' prior to the incident, Magi's husband and brother-in-law came to the house of the complainant at 06.00 PM. and apologized saying that Magi would not be maltreated again in the matrimonial home. The community people also gave this assurance to the complainant on which, she sent Magi back to the matrimonial home at Surajada. Even thereafter, the maltreatment of Magi on account of demand of dowry continued. The complainant had become vulnerable because of her husband's death and waited in hope that the situation qua Magi would improve. However, on 21/1/2013 at about 08.00 AM., she received an information that Magi had passed away in the night of 19/1/2013 and the matrimonial relatives had buried the dead body on 20/1/2013 without informing any of the maternal relatives. Her daughter had a three years old son. She and her family members suspected that Magi Devi had been murdered and her body had been buried in order to destroy the evidence.