H.L. Dattu, J. - (1.) This criminal appeal arises out of common judgment and order passed by the Karnataka High Court in Criminal Appeal No. 1755 of 2003 and Criminal Appeal No. 665 of 2004, whereby and whereunder the court has partly allowed the appeal, and in so far as the appellant is concerned, while maintaining the conviction for offences punishable under Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and Sections 498A and 304B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 has modified the sentence for the offence punishable under Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 from 5 years and a fine of Rs. 2,50,000/- to 2 years and a fine of Rs. 1,25,000/- and, in default, to undergo simple imprisonment for 6 months.
(2.) The learned Additional Sessions Judge had sentenced the appellant under the following heads: (i) To undergo R.I for 5 years and a fine of Rs. 2,50,000/-and in default, to undergo R.I for two years for the offence punishable under Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. (ii) To undergo S.I for two years and to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000, in default, to undergo S.I for one month for an offence punishable under Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. (iii) To undergo S.I for 3 years and to pay a fine of Rs. 10,000/-, in default, to undergo S.I for one month for an offence punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. (iv) To undergo imprisonment for life for an offence punishable under Section 304B of IPC.
(3.) On appeal, the High Court has allowed the appeal in part and has modified the sentence as stated earlier. The appellant has preferred this appeal against his conviction and sentence of imprisonment for life under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code.;