SHANMUGHVELU Vs. STATE

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Accused in C. C. 64/95 on the file of Additional District Judge-cum-Chief Judicial Magistrate, Ramnad is the appellant. By Judgment dated 27-2-1997 trial Court has convicted the Appellant/Accused for Dowry Harassment and demand of dowry 498(A), I. P. C. and Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act and sentencing him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years and one year respectively. Sentences were ordered to run concurrently.

(2.) Prosecution case : P.W. 1-Shanmuga-valli is the daughter of P. W. 2- Velu. P. W. 1 and the accused got married on 24-5-1991. At the time of marriage P. W. 1 was given Seer Varisai of five sovereigns of gold and 1- acres of land with other necessary household utensils. P. W. 1 lived happily with the accused for three years in Ambedkar Colony. Thereafter, the accused was demanding further dowry amount of Rs.5,000/- and five sovereign of jewels. Father of P. W. 1- P. W. 2 could not afford to give dowry amount and jewels. Since demand of the accused was not met, the accused had frequently beaten P. W. 1 and treating her cruelly and had driven her away from the house.

(3.) Panchayat : To effect reconciliation between the parties, Panchayat was held during 1994-Iypasi-Marhali (November-December) participated by P. Ws. 3 to 5 and other villagers. Even in the Panchayat, the accused persisted in his demand for dowry. In the Panchayat the accused stated that without money and jewels he would not take back P. W. 1.