MEENA DEVI Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This criminal appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 06th August 2008 and 07th August, 2008 respectively, passed by Sri Kaushal Kishor Jha, No. 1, the learned Additional Session Judge, FTC 2, Bokaro in Session Trial No. 283 of 2002, arising out of Pindrajora P.S. Case No. 6/2002, corresponding to G.R. No. 55 of 2002, whereby and whereunder, the appellant has been punished to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life for committing the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC and further pay a fine of Rs.5000/-. In default of payment of fine, the appellant is liable to undergo rigorous imprisonment for further period of three months.

(2.) The prosecution case is based upon fardbeyan of Mina Pandey (the deceased-victim) which was recorded at Bokaro General Hospital, Bokaro on 18.1.2002. In the said fardbeyan, the deceased stated that she was married to Prahlad Pandey in the year 1982 and they were residing happily. On 18.1.2002 at about 08:00 hours in the morning, she was in her in-laws house when her mother- in-law and sister-in-law (this appellant) came and sprinkled kerosene oil upon her. Her mother-in-law with the help of match stick put her on fire. She started screaming and hearing her screams, her son reached along with other neighbours. Her son called her husband and her husband immediately took her to Bokaro Hospital, where she is being treated by Dr. Sahay and Dr. Sharwan. She stated that she was being tortured by her mother-in-law and this appellant- Meena Devi on the pretext of dowry for which, information was given to her paternal house and also to her husband.

(3.) The police, after conclusion of investigation, submitted chargesheet against this appellant, showing mother-in-law of the deceased i.e. Khiroda Devi as an absconder. Charge was framed under Sections 498A and 302 IPC, to which the appellant pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.