IMRAN KHAN Vs. STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Appellant has been convicted under Sections 302 and 498A, I.P.C. and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and rigorous imprisonment for three years respectively. The sentences have been directed to run concurrently.

(2.) The substance of charge against the appellant is that he committed the murder of his wife, Razda Begum. They were married a few months before the occurrence. The appellant was always finding fault with his wife for not bringing enough dowry and uttering abuses at her and even assaulting her. On 10-6-1986 (10-7-86), the appellant took his wife from his house telling her that he would take her to Begum Gunj where her parents were residing and thereafter take her to Bhopal for a change. They had to reach Begum Gunj by walking through forest area. At about 9 p.m., when they were inside the forest, he started abusing his wife and when she protested, he assaulted her with a farsa, a sharp edged weapon, and ran away. She fell down unconscious. Regaining consciousness the next morning, she slowly walked to Begum Gunj and reached her uncle's place at about 4 p.m. She informed her father P.W. 1, brother P.W. 2, sister P.W. 3 and others about the incident. She was taken to Begum Gunj police station where she got Ex.P20, F.I. statement prepared by a police constable. Charge witness No. 15, S.I. Police, Begum Gunj received Ex.P.20, but did not prepare F.I.R. since the scene of occurrence was outside the jurisdiction of the police station. He prepared Ex.P19, report and sent Exhibits P19 and P20 to Rahatgarh police station where P.W. 11, S.I. Police received the same and registered a case against the appellant on the basis of Exs. P19 and P20. Meanwhile the injured was taken to Begum Gunj hospital where she was treated by P.W. 9 and thereafter taken to Raisen hospital. She died on 23-7-1986.

(3.) P.W. 10 conducted autopsy on the dead body. P.W. 12, S.I. Rahatgarh police station held inquest over the dead body. He and P.W. 11 conducted investigation. Appellant was arrested on 12-7-1986. After completing investigation, charge-sheet was filed on 21-7-1986.