MULIA DEVI @ MUNIA DEVI Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Both the appellants have preferred the instant appeal being aggrieved by the judgment of conviction dated 18.01.2003 and order of sentence dated 21.01.2003 passed by 8th Additional Judge, Hazaribagh in Sessions Trial No.112 of 2002, whereby and where under he held the appellants guilty under sections 498A/201 and 304B of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced them to undergo R.I. for Seven Years under section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code and R.I for Two Years under section 498-A/201 of the Indian Penal Code and also passed the order that both the sentences will run concurrently.

(2.) It appears that the instant appeal was filed on 03.03.2013 and by order dated 11.03.2003, it was admitted to hearing and further by order dated 10.04.2003 and both the appellants were directed to be released on bail during pendency of this appeal.

(3.) The prosecution case, in short, is that the informant-Bhikhan Pandit (P.W.3) had filed a written report addressed to the Officer-in-Incharge, Chouparan P.S.-Hazaribagh on 29.05.2001 alleging that his daughter-Fulia Devi was married with Vijay Pandit, S/o Mahru Pandit (appellant no.2) according to Hindu Rites on 18.04.2000. In the said marriage, he gave Rs. 25,000.00, one cycle and silver ornaments to Vijay Pandit (son-in-law) as dowry and, thereafter, his daughter went to her Sasural, but in the Sasural Fulia Devi was subjected to torture and harassment by her in-laws. A panchayat was also organized and his daughter disclosed that his father-in-law and mother-in-law put pressure for demand a TV. It is alleged that on 15.05.2000 when his son, Naraian Pandit (P.W.2) went to the sasural of his sister, she disclosed about the aforesaid fact. It is alleged that on 29.05.2001, he went to the sasural of his daughter along with TV to satisfy the demand of in-laws of her daughter, but he could not find his daughter there. On enquiry made from Mahru Pandit, appellant no.2 and others, he came to know that his daughter died and they have just arrived after performing her cremation. It is alleged that his daughter was murdered by her in-laws for not satisfying their demand.