- (1.) Delay of 158 days in filing the special leave petition is condoned.
(2.) The petitioner No. 1 Rajbir (husband) was found guilty of murdering his pregnant wife Sunita for demanding cash amount barely 6 months after their marriage. He was awarded life sentence under Section 304B, IPC, apart from sentences under other sections. The Punjab & Haryana High Court has reduced the sentence to 10 years rigorous imprisonment. Petitioner No. 2(mother of Rajbir) was awarded two years rigorous imprisonment.
(3.) We fail to see why the High Court has reduced the sentence of petitioner No. 1 Rajbir. It appears to be a case of barbaric and brutal murder. This is borne out by the injuries which are in the evidence of Doctor, PW 2, which are as follows: 1. A diffused contusion radish in colour on right side of face extending between left half of both lips and upto right pinna. And from the zygomatic area to right angle mandible. On dis-section underline tissue was found Ecchymosed. 2. On right side of neck, a diffused contusion 3.5 cm x 2.5 cm situated 2.5 cm -2- posterior inferior to right angle of mandible. On dis-section underlying area was Ecchmosed. 3. A contusion size of 7.5 cm x 5 cm over left side of neck just below angle of mandible. Underlying area on dissection was Ecchymesed.;