(1.) This appeal is by accused No. 1 in Sessions Case No. 68/2003 on the file of the learned Sessions Judge, Fast Track Court II, Mandya (hereinafter referred to as the Trial Court' for short). This appellant was one of the four accused in the said case. The judgment and order of conviction and sentence dated 29-6-2006 passed by the Trial Court in the said case convicting this appellant (accused No. 1) for the offences under Sections 498-A & 304-B of I.P.C. and also under Sections 3, 4 & 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (hereinafter referred to as the 'DP Act' for short) is challenged by him in this appeal.
(2.) Accused No. 2 namely, Venkatashetty, the father of accused No. 1, died during the pendency of the trial and therefore, the case against him came to be abated. Accused Nos. 3 & 4 in the said case came to be acquitted of all the said offences, though they were tried for the same offences along with this appellant accused. Sri A. V. Ramakrishna, learned High Court Government Pleader submitted that no appeal is filed by the complainant-State against the impugned judgment and order insofar as it relates to acquittal of accused Nos. 3 & 4 in the said case.
(3.) I have heard the arguments of Sri N. V. Prakash, learned counsel for the appellant accused and also Sri A. V. Ramakrishna, learned High Court Government Pleader and perused the impugned judgment and order of conviction and sentence and also the entire material found in the original records obtained from the Trial Court.