Ritu Bahri, J. - (1.) This petition has been filed against the judgment dated 09.05.2007 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Bathinda, partly accepting the appeal filed by the petitioner against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 14.06.2006 passed by the Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Bathinda, whereby he has been convicted and sentenced under Sections 498-A and 406 IPC.
(2.) Initially, FIR No.73 dated 13.10.1998, under Sections 498- A/406/506/34 IPC was registered at Police Station, Sadar, Bathinda on a complaint made by Avtar Singh-complainant to the effect that marriage of his daughter-Harwinder Kaur was solemnized with Gurcharan Singh-petitioner on 17.03.1996 at village Sardargarh. Out of this wedlock, one child was born. Soon after the marriage, in-laws of Harwinder Kaur started harassing and humiliating her on the pretext of bringing insufficient dowry. On many occasions, they gave beatings to Harwinder Kaur. Ultimately, she was turned out of the matrimonial house. In this background, the FIR was registered. On completion of investigation, challan was presented and trial commenced.
(3.) Trial Court, after going through the evidence led by the prosecution, convicted accused-petitioner Gurcharan Singh and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 1,000/- under Section 406 IPC. He had been further sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of one year and to pay a fine of Rs. 1500/- under Section 498-A IPC. However, the remaining accused namely, Gurnaib Singh, Manjit Kaur, Kulwinder Kaur and Gursewak Singh were acquitted of the charges framed against them.;