Ratnaker Bhengra, J. - (1.) This Criminal Appeal has been preferred against the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 2.5.2001 passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Dumka at Camp Jamtara in connection with S.C. Case No. 164 of 1999, whereby and whereunder appellant was convicted u/s 304-B of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years. The period already undergone during trial was ordered to be adjusted against the sentence.
(2.) The case of prosecution as per the fardbeyan of the informant Govind Rajwar PW-4 dated 30.6.1998 in brief is that the deceased Fulo Devi, who was his cousin sister, was married with the appellant three- four years ago as per Hindu custom and rituals. She had four sisters and her parents were very old. The informant further stated in his fardbeyan that after marriage his cousin sister went to her matrimonial home. After one year of marriage her in-laws including her appellant husband Raju Rajwar started torturing the deceased and demanded radio, watch and Rs. 5,000/- as dowry. This demand was informed by the deceased to her parents for which a panchayati was held. Lastly on 16.5.1998, she was sent back to her in-laws house after panchayati and a radio was also given to the accused. However, the accused persons continued quarrelling for further dowry. On 30.6.1998 at about 10 a.m. they got information that his cousin sister was killed by her in- laws. Thereafter the informant along with other co-villagers Bhumi Lal yadav, Gopal Yadav and others went to the matrimonial home of his deceased sister and found his sister lying dead having injury marks on her right and left parietal region and swelling in her neck.
(3.) On the basis of the fardbeyan of the informant police registered Jamtara P.S. Case no. 125 of 1998 U/S. 304-B/34 of the IPC against the accused persons. After completion of investigation, charge sheet was submitted against the accused persons and after cognizance, the case was committed to the court of Sessions. Charges were framed against the accused persons u/s 304-B/34 IPC. Trial was held and on the conclusion of the trial the learned trial court convicted and sentenced the appellant as aforesaid. Hence, this appeal.;