LALDEO MAHTO Vs. STATE OF BIHAR

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THIS appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order sentence dated 30.9.1997 passed in Sessions Trial No. 106 of 1996 whereby and whereunder the learned 5th Additional Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi held the appellant guilty under Sections 306 and 498 -A of the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.) and convicted and sentenced him to undergo R.I. for ten years under Sec.306, I.P.C. and three years under Sec. 498 -A, I.P.C. but directed both the sentences to run concurrently.

(2.) PROSECUTION case in brief is that Sarju Mahto, the informant, father of the deceased Sohari Devi gave a written report before Argora P.S. stating inter alia therein that he married his daughter Sohari Devi in the year 1984 with Laldeo Mahto. Some time after marriage, his son -in -law Laldeo Mahto demanded Rs. 1,000 -1,500 per month from him and also asked for giving some employment to him (Laldeo Mahto) and on non -fulfilment of demand, he used to assault his daughter and used to write threatening letters to him. He went to the sasural of his daughter and held panchayati several times. But in previous night, due to this very reason, his son -in -law committed murder of his daughter. On the written statement of the informant, Argora P.S. Case No. 30 of 1995 under Sections 302 and 498 -A, I.P.C. was registered and after investigation, Police submitted charge -sheet. Charges as aforesaid were framed against the accused on 20.3.1996 and the learned 5th Additional Judicial Commissioner, Ranchi recorded evidence of witnesses - -both oral and documentary - -and came to a finding and held the appellant guilty under Sections 498 A and 306, I.P.C. and convicted and sentenced him as aforesaid.

(3.) EXCEPT P.W. 7 who has been declared hostile. P.W. 8 who is I.O. of the case and P.W. 6 who is the doctor, all other witnesses have on the one hand stated that Sohari Devi was tortured by Laldeo Mahto due to non -fulfilment of money demanded by him and further that his father -in -law (P. W. 4) did not provide employment to him.