SHASHI MUNDA Vs. STATE OF JHARKHAND

JUDGEMENT

(1.) By Court.:- Heard learned amicus curiae appointed by this Court for the appellant and learned counsel for the State.

(2.) The sole appellant is aggrieved by the impugned Judgment of conviction dated 25th February, 2008 and Order of sentence dated 27th February, 2008, passed by the learned Additional Judicial Commissioner, F.T.C.-VIII, Ranchi, in S.T. No. 371 of 2007, whereby, the sole accused, who is the husband of the deceased lady, has been found guilty and convicted for the offence under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code. Upon hearing on the point of sentence, the appellant has been sentenced to undergo life imprisonment and fine of Rs.5,000/- for the said offence.

(3.) The prosecution case was instituted on the basis of the fardbeyan of the deceased Raj Kumari Devi herself, while she was alive and was undergoing treatment at RIMS, Ranchi, recorded on 21.02.2007, wherein she has stated that she married the accused Shashi Munda about four years ago and after the marriage, she was being subjected to cruelty and torture for demand of dowry of Rs.20,000/-, which she had informed to her parents. Her parents were not in a position to make the payment, and for that reason, on 15.01.2007, her husband poured kerosene oil on her and put her to fire. When she raised the alarm, her father-in-law and other persons put off the fire by covering her by blanket and she was brought to RIMS for her treatment. Her body below her waist and chest were burnt. She was threatened by her husband, for giving any information about the occurrence.