LANJAPALLI VENKANNA Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ACCUSED No. 1 in Sessions Case No. 122 of 2002 on the file of the learned II Additional sessions Judge (F. T. C.), Khammam, is the appellant. He along with his mother A-2 were tried for the offences under Sections 498-A and 302 read with Section 34 IPC i. e. harassing wife of the appellant, by name Ramana for dowry and murdering her by pouring kerosene. Through its judgment, dated 17. 9. 2004, the trial Court acquitted a2 and convicted the appellant herein, for the offences under Sections 498-A and 302 IPC. It sentenced him to undergo imprisonment for life, and to pay a fine of rs. 100/- for the offence under Section 302 ipc. Sentence of rigorous imprisonment for one year, and fine of Rs. 100/- was imposed for the offence under Section 498-A ipc. Both the sentences were directed to run concurrently. This appeal is filed against the same.

(2.) THE appellant was married to the deceased Ramana, in or about 1998. The said lady was admitted into the Government hospital, Khammam, on 11. 7. 2001 with burn injuries. On receiving information about the same, P. W. 13, the Head Constable of khammam Rural Police Station, went to the hospital, and recorded statement of the patient, marked as Ex. P. 10. She stated that her husband, the appellant, and mother-in-law were harassing her in the past and that on 11. 7. 2001 at 4 p. m. both of them poured kerosene and set her on fire.

(3.) P. W. 13 informed the same to his superior officials and simultaneously gave a requisition to the local Magistrate, P. W. 18 to record the statement. The statement of Ramana was recorded by P. W. 18, after P. W. 19, the doctor, certified that the patient is in a proper and fit condition to give statement. The same was marked as ex. P. 16. First Information Report was registered.