State Of Karnataka By Santhebennur ... vs Mallikarjuna @ ... on 12 January, 2011

[Cites 8, Cited by 1]

Karnataka High Court

State Of Karnataka By Santhebennur ... vs Mallikarjuna @ ... on 12 January, 2011

Equivalent citations: 2012 CRI. L. J. (NOC) 227 (KAR.), 2012 (1) AIR KAR R 396 (2011) 3 ALLCRILR 507, (2011) 3 ALLCRILR 507

Bench: Manjula Chellur

{N "ESE---IE; HIGH C30{JR'I' 0:? §{AI'~3NA'I"'AE{A A"i'E53ANGALOR1-,1
I')A"{'E.?;If) THIS 'i'E~1E ;.:2'm ism' 0:? JANUARY. 201_1___
PRi%3SI§E\3'1": V "

E--fON'I3L§§ MRS. JUSTICEQ MANJ U LA C}--EE¥Ll'_.  A' 

A:N1:>  V  
}EON'I~'3§,..E{3 MR. JUS"i'EC'iE K.N.15;13:3:-;1Av,g<xNA';2A§%A.NA'  
<:R1;,.A.No1323 OE: 20»Q;"5;{:gQ'--TT» "   "

EBETVV E EN:

State oI'Ke11'11ai;21kxc1, __      
By Samihebenm,11' P0ii(.;§j_.  _ A   _.' "Appe1_ia1'1t:

{By Sri, S1'iniVasa Reddyi   A'

3. ix/1a:1ik;:1f;--V;J:T:;a; '£.j;'."V'..._ M %
C h ei:1z'1}21 _'.Tf1vE1l} 'i~l{a*3fj_ 5 .\
 abouf; £3?) j,€("_'..".--"ﬂ,f5:'i".

:2. A. -- 1.}.Vt2embhe1d1'a'ppa9
 S/'0 Ian: S-id§i__:;1szce1"a;3pa,
 ab()u1i, 55 yeexrss.

 _ :3. T'  _'i7';.?\§;'3?fiIiij€£;"I1HEa,

  VA '\}'\'F;';?:f;.X/'e<§%r'a'r3hadrappa,
Ag_§s«:=ci" :ga.1j<)ut: E35 jyeairs.

..é"g§.E..an:% Raraidizlg aéi
A _ E"*§ir<:%k<)gg2;1E'::£" \:'iE1z1g22§
V "  CE221_r1:1agiri T2',1.};1_Ji}'§§
 §l}e1x='211:1_2i1.ge:"e Ef}Ese;tri<'r.a" . . a.E9{<:t=s;p<}r:de:3:1i:s;

 ..._E.1:':§y E52": (iE'f.a,fz1€i1'1_2":v, ;'?'x(§*me:t2;1_'£'.e. {hr Sﬁ. EA,

{E E1 éiiﬂ Ci rz'1sisE":e1<:21 .1:f2;1., A.<:i**~.,-"c>:*:zm;>s»;;]



'7

"H113 C1'1.A, 1'55 fikerci Lifidﬁfi" S<3cI'_:i(3I'1 878 (ii) étiz. (3)
Cr.P.C pr.:::yi.r1g to gra:'1I'_; Eeave €10 file an appeal against;
tzhe _fLzcigG:rr1<:rmi a.r3.c:3 orcler d2,11':ec1 G7,02»20()5 }32.;V$é3éti..b}r

the Addit:i0r1al Sessions Judge, Fast 'E'1'a(;E<<__' C:(3'"J;*t¥*},

I)21var1z1g£:re, in S.C.1\'fo.4/2004~ e1<:c;--:.i:i:'T.'t,$12jL£:Vg',:" H

resspond€n1;s~21<:c:L1sed for ighe off {-a13c__e p1_1':fi1':éf1a i31é"Linda' V'

Sections 3, 4 and 6 of DP.  a1_1i'1c§? 
304%; and BOESUHPC. ' "    ' "  '

This Elppﬁiéﬂ coming  this day,
Keshavanarayana, J.,;__4_fhe C.'[VA)'L1IfT1f:vi11€i?,V'll73.fA€.i';IT{j3(i1 the foﬂowingc

  Steiviéyis ciirected against the
j11dgmVé;1t" ._a:1d. V():ff'c1é}v._.V€ie11{§.d 7.2.2005 passed by the
Presidin f <Z)Vf:I';.r:e'1',-_ F':--a;<3t...'~~'"1'r21ck Courtwl, Davana Fem in

a, . _ V % 5

 2004' V-a;:g}_1&iii;i;1g responéent N05" '1 to 3 01' fhca

 1'€<V_e1E_e:c1 agaixist, them for the 0ffeI1ceS

_p'z.'11j1'i:~s.1'iai_A3'"iezﬂigier S<3(:I'_;ions 3, 4 8: 6 of the [)owry

 4984:, "30%:§:~'3 and 3061*/W34 WC.

Ef5§'=€?.§§ibé{.§;3':;§: E'gEéE. {f<)r sE2<.>§'t: ""f:i'1<-3 DP. A<:';i:'} 3:153 Se::<t*'é:i<3:':s;;;


{ L} W



3

2. The (taste of the pms@<:uu()1'1 in brief is-3 as 'L111d€l'Z
PW. .i_wS'us}1ei1amma and PW.2~Ha121ppa e1.1f§:_ me

}f3aren'r.S of decezased Chetana. Though PW2 hz3--'iI"€~CI"'i7r (>rn_

a village in Chemlagiri Taluk, since he was--*.§3.mp1TQyL<%d  

a Teacher in High School, in V-E\§'2i1>1jé1z1g,j11ci_..'1:'aIuk,'-.f.héy

were resid1'1'1g in Mysore for abotzi;-' 25 ybslrss». 

2008. Accused No.1 is t,E'1r$ "'hus1:$a:1.§i'axaf}?1iiAé uéiEi<fVusedV

N032 and 3 are /'i:~1.1e _{3éii'€::ifj;3~V\i'r1y1aVxr bf "d(~:Cease<:1
Chetama.. T he Ir13.1*riage~lQi' Said C.h'tr fje.,!1a with actmlsed

No.1 was sQ}e:':1;f:'izeC£ 01:1-VV22';«2;2~C*0Q_WE11 Sukru.theeI1dra

Ka1ya.j.'ia Ma11jie1p2iiﬂ JD21v"a.f1ag§e1f€'.V"At that time the accused
were i*esidiI1g  and 8,CCLlS€'d No.1 was
1"um:1i:r1g'=.a. ~pr0'viS'i:) I1..Estore. Prior to the marriage,

:1e<foii:at.io'11és V-xveré held and durin the re«ma1'1'ia'5e

"=..n@g(§t.iesi.§{>z'1$, the V2itiii1.::-kid p£3.rsc:ms dt3I]'1«';Hld€;'.C1 €71 lakh in
'(}fci$3I1,  {cm/arcis cloths for the: b1'iC1€:? groom and

"'21_I;~3"(.'_: 20 f03_e1s.?'Vvt';f"g<:}d or:1:«3mer:ts as dawry. PWSJ and 2

ag,r¢:£:ci ,*;..r}_ pé1y €i()WI':y" 2:155 d<:n1a11.cI€:d by 2;1CCtIS€d and

 aC<::c}1*'di:1g_§1}a few dayzi-3 prior to £116 mzzr1'i21gee§ cash. mi' N
..f»£.é:k;i1.._2'111("3e %'1€),OO{}/'~ t:<:>wa1'ds <;:Ec:«i;'.hse: were': g§i\:'€.}"1 to i'._'r1c*,

}::>;<':1<'fs.;:;L<_-aeii amd .2-iii, mes? 'iiirzie of ihe i1':2:z':*ie1g<»;; g__;(>1d



4

tmaanaeazt.-s weighilig a}:><)u'i. 20 toids were given to the
bride and the bride groom. After the n1ar1*iager the
deceased _§oi1'1ed her klusbazld at De var3age1'e and
uritth her husband and in Eaws. For  "
the deceased was looked e:fte:r'*we}1 
T hereafter the accused staifted 
and harassment by  

for s1':<1ki11g bore weih  ;5a1*'eI'1'ts of the

deceased gave '<*'i25,OC§CVh)f--' y'_ea1's after the

Inarriage. 'fher_e"afte£:_ at:c1£se«d fell into bad WiS€S.

He Wgtst 'etd'tiit:&t_ed"3te ]id1':.1:€3r. gathbling etc. and he started
se11i11g--._away'  '=1j1e'Edx" articles and other Valuables,
incturred'---l0ss if: b'Ltsi.1ﬁ1"e:ss and therefore they shifted to

t,h.ei;" ~ 1_1a1ti\}e.."v'i1'§age Kogalur in Chennag;iri Taluk

§i)e1v:éi;1'z5:5ig,§eI'*s£: [}isti*ité't.§ in the mean While the Cieeeased

'§g2i\;we_ E')i1*'tIf}V. 21 male ehiid. After the return of the

H deee:a1eed"_*v_w1't:h.'J the child to the matrimtmial home, she

tardztg &1§_§é;t~§t."i':.:$£1bj(:3?(?'E€(i to (:'ru.e1t;y and hamssme:1t.. On

 $312003, deceased aE0:;1g.; wi1:.h her sen {'.::1.I}1E3 to the

2  f3at1*~::jz1i?:e.'I home at Mysore at-md staycici. there tit} 2.8.2003.

 "2t8.2»{)O.'3 etareused §\Ee.,1 and his ;*;1et.he1' ;r1e.meiy'



5

a(é<7us-sed No.3 came to Myeore ancl c1c':ma1'1ded the
deceaseed to 1'e'r,urn to the mat.;ri_n3or1ial home. HO\.¥£{(E'E-'€I}

when the deceased refused, a-H:c:11se(i No.E threéi{.e~zi'edv1;()

take the C1'1i}.d with him. Therefore, the tie-'£:easre.dVo'cé1rﬁe 

to the I}'1El'{II'i]'}.101'}i'c11 home at IeIi1feIv§e1'1,<:.1*" 
the early hours of 4.8.2.003.   0
danger to their daughtel".   theh
house of the ae(:L1serj  4.8.2008.
On 5.8.2003 at aboL1tT0;.0'0' Nos.1 and 3

quarreled w1'}Ev}'i"l?Ws.1:=__21rad:~'2  them out of the

house."_VPWfeQ1_':'1.:jd 2 vve1"e standing out side the
house of the'  heard scream of their

daughter   house. immediately they went

0"-i:rA1Side Z3;i']dV0' saw their daughter stuiggling for breathing

Eziird tE*;<;%§,9'«v..§1'i.e3{:~.$.e1\>v White froth ctmnirag out: of her mouth.

i::it5r1edj__:1f,e§.f;¥" {hey took. her to the loeai hospimi bu: the

'  V"£.."}..o{7t:(3r "x-'.;!é1e not available ihere. However, while ehifiiing

 E-":_e'r* -to f3E1VEii12i.f.§€I"€, she: breathed her E3.-s~3i:. Theref'o:*e;

" -"the dead body were brr;)ugh_t: to the Iiaow-3e of the aceu:-;:ed.

'l'he1'e21_ﬁ.e1" PVVII informed the dea1:.h of the ;Ee<:*.ea-.<5<:td to
her ezm who wz:::+2 £23; 1\rfys<);":~r z:s..r1£i waiiﬁed for his 21rri'va1I.





mg'

6
'I'11ereaft.er at about". 5.30 am. 011 6.8.2003 PW.1 iodged
a Complaint as per El-x.P.1 based on which 1_?_\__N-".29~

Siddaramaiah, ASE and SHO of S21I1teb&31111L{I'--»_f¥?e'iiee

Station registeled ease in crime N().6'$:%.]2VOQ'3-hh
s'u.bmi1e.i:ed FIR  per  "tie. the _.jL§1€sd§e1:i£)I9ia1
Magis1:1'ate. As the death had eeehlfred *Jv_=iet:}"1i.r1«. V

from the date of the  oh   the

Police, PW. 1.5~C.B..:32§j_anah.WS1*§etfar.,' Talhk VAVVVEXCCLIUVE
Magistrate conducted   body in the

presence of  pa"{1eha':§ an 'df."b1QQfd relatives of the

c1eee:;3;seCi"a;rifd_ dféﬁmr 1£pV.:'i;1qL3es"'€,Vmahazar as per EX.P.19.
The1'eafte1_" i.he'«iieac£._.'hr§d.;; was subjected to autopsy.
During upf_J4S'$Ei.VIIIq()_I'1:.(:?.EI1.¢§:::11"I1iI1a'tiO'11 the Doctor preserved

 irieerei ﬁan_f1e1y the parts of small iimesstirme and its

' «ec5f:E,ei'3i,£3,  hyer, kidney ei.<i:. and handed ever {he ssama $10
1  the ' ._:"'--«§nvest'igat.i():1 Officer. 'I'herea'ﬁ:er PW.32w

E3_aVsa;va;'aj:a}jp2L 1)§;.S,P. i:.0<::k up im'e$t.i;.gai:i():1, visited.

§he~.s<ier1(: of eeeuifrersce. r'eeeI*<:.ie(:i the ssstzatemehiis of

A' wipéraesasses, drerw up s:s'pot. rriaha-:+:a1" in the preseilee ef
 p'aI§(:ha5-3, sewed the emptay boi:t,1e of Er3d{i}sz11§3E1<)n said
Tie ha';/-'e §3&'ff;':}.'§ <:<):";sz:me{i E33: "she deee:2;1sae{i and handed

g/§;;'_:



%§~

7

over furiihei" Em.-'est.igatiori io PW31_P.Chancirashekar,
PSI, COD who during the in\rest,iga.t'ion. roCo:rcicd__ the

statement: of Witnesses, prepared tho sketch. c)i"'s(:e.'if:«£3.V'0f

occ'urre1'1ce, sent the preserved vioera -:35   

ex21miz121t,i()11 and received tih§:""i'epr;rt.i fi*o_13n ¥?W:.'83=;

".'F.Ve11katcsha, Assistant.' D1IE'4{'.§?iT:L3.{", f/\{»ég_i.(A)'11.21_!i iv 

Davariagere on 30.9.2004  ei"i'o<it._i1'i::1i.'.= of

Organo Phosphorous "was ci"(:'fé:(';t.?:j'd i'1fi._ the xriiéeréi sent for
examination. Oh the basis of the report, the Doctor

who cohductedftfie a%._1t.f3:ps*j!  the finai opinion

as to the  o'Vf::ﬂCV1c2ifi1:'_'{() t.héméi"fec:t that the death was
due t0A'«2isphyxi;i'  of Organo Phosphorous

poisoning iaizhiiciz» 716617 to cardio--1fespi_rato1"y arrest. On

.aV"CQii'1gajié-f.ioriU.of thewmihvestigation PW.8] laid the Charge

A  si1.€:et. 2 "

 '2ic:c'L1sed persons pieaded not guilty for the:

 <ﬂ:s%1arg'e:,s__'3~iea:ei'ieCi agziinsi. them and ciainiesgi to be:-. iiriegi.
" ,.A'i"%I;€:_:'proso<:L1"iion in ordtzvr to briiig haimes the guiit: of the

 .. .,V_f:it::£:used porsoiis €3XaI11iT1{;'fCi .PWs.i to 33 and got marked

Exs.P.I to P20 zmd M0,}, During the crrosssw



5:'. a

8
eXa'miI1ai:io11 of the pmseeution Witrlesses the defence

got: marked Exs.D.1 to D4. T he ciefezicte of the aeegsed

was one of total denial and that of false i1np1ieé1t.i(;3§;.e.it.
was their "further defence that the c1e(:e21:s'e.c__:i whee' \hv:~,1.s_f "
born and brought up in Mysore eiiiyt Vv21es  Vrriiieh.

used to the city life and th0L1gh"..sh~:? VV2155_.'j3:'.gI'i€tdU&it€.VW.

much against her Wish she 'rr1a1*rie'd._t:'0e3eei;;seei No.1
who had passed on13r;:S3»SLC'Aha:id"   {has made
to lead married life  -"\Ii1.'1'2i:'V_>fs:'Fahd after the

marriage thbﬁiigzjh' she €i1ite'f1ci_eci""--i:.e: eempiete some

(éomputer e(Ji1V:s_€3f3and'1'Q.ok for 21 job so that she eouid
becemei'Ve(ionOmie:a§iE}f4"é.h'depe11dent, much against her

w"j.shSh_e was sent brick. to the matrimonial home, and

" L3,,i1dGF  "£;_h'e_se eircL1mStances, being a highly

h§*i;}efsef1sii:ii3erV""iaciy sshe Committed asuieide by

C<)13isL1rrii.ng_§"'p0is0zL 1:.heref0re they are ncit, in any way

  rs3.:,~:_p0ri§ibie for the death of the decteassed.

4. 'E'h.e ieamed Sesssixjine Jiidge after' hearing;; both

5-sides; azici on assessment of the c:>r:a1i as Wei} as

dc>(:z,:z11e11i:ar'y evide.:':c:e, by the judgment: Lmcier appeal.



9

acquitted the aeeuseti persons ef ail the charges levelled
against them holding that the presecutiorz has failed E0

pmve the guilt of the aecuseci pereens fer 

ieveiied against them. Aggrieved by the    

acquittal, the State is in appeal ?§éfore«  V'  

5. We have heard .S'3r»iT,£"_3hre:e:1Ai::\?f:1zs'a1.  
High Court Government P1eé§der»anc£ 
learned counsel for 3.ccﬁ§éd;' 

6. Lear:_3 e(:1_  '  Gm;-rei'nmer3t Pleader

appe2:i{rir1g[Afef1f.V  af3;iei1aI1--€VVVV$tate submits that the
judgment ._ui';c1e'r'«."a.ppe:§ii_£§. perverse and mega} as the
findings "reeovrded 2 .A1:i_"I_;:.e learned Sessions Judge are

Cﬂllflfary to ti'1e_Ve'x?idei1Ce 011 record as such the juﬁgment

.  is"'rerre'1':ieé'L1Ae ar1«e1"WieV iiabie tit: be set aside. it is hie
» ei;rbrrri.srsiGr1V "that the Eearrred Sessions Judge has faﬂeﬁ

'i;:$.a§pVr°ee'§';:ti:::=h¥€eI};3.': the evidence ef the material witnesses

 has! $e;"t§5fecterii}* proveé that there was prearrarriage

A  rregeitiaiieras and during the eaié rregeiiatierze, the

2'e;ee':Liee:i demanded deerry bath in eaeh and in kirrﬁ and

 ~»v.--§e:3I:er accepted the same 33; the time of the marriage;

ff





10

tlriereibre the iearned Sessions Judge ought: ':10 have held
that the Charges levelicd E1gE1iI1S1' the attciuseci persons
for the offencsss punishable under Sec:i:i.o1'1 3, 4  6 of

the DP. AC1: are proved beyond reasonabile 

fiirthcr submitted thai: the married Sessi(>1=2.'$." Jv11dgé%"'11.§i:'-3 

failed to properly appreciate f:hE:+"e"*'<fis,i«ri:Iﬂ1c:ii3Trijv'i""
and other reiatives of the  
establish that whiie U16   theiwi
accused in the matrii11.gniaii'}irj.rii:F?'ﬂ$h_<? wbé-i'su'bjected to
cruelty and harassmerii  ii) bring further

inoney aridkéi}. 2_3'.{lAA€:Q1:I'i1:'~._{)EF 1_"ai1ure on her part to Corraply
with étiéh Vi1£ega"i.Vde:ria.r1g:1s. Therefore, the iearned

Sessibns J1:idgc:_1-1aS--._Ccrrzmitted error in elctquiiting the
acciigsed for t'1ie.rc;b;>qfge under Section 498~A IPC. It: is

 hisw furthr~:}r"u$ubn1iss3io'r1 that h.:»,wing regard to the fécti:

 ' the deaih of the cieceasecl acctiirreci

xisriﬂiiri  from f;.b<3 date of the rnarriage. arid 'thfi

death higlkffllg 0c«::u1"1'ed in an zinnaiiural (,'fiE"C'LiII1SilE1I1Ci:E,, in

 é:3'::€-:_ iigiii sf 'ilhff <;%videm?e (if t,he pamrats and other

7..r'E:i.9..I5Ev<3s; bf ihﬁi d€c:easr~:£i, the Earned 8655.5;-sieris Jux:1gc

  _{i§ughi. to hzzvté Zfieid If':hat: the c1e{:eas&;e(i hasii beer;



.r.rr,.,r.Nmmm,_,",mWA./,Mm.m«m.m.--,-,~_ag

11

ssubjected to Cnieity and harasemeni; SOOI'1 before her
death in c-.ormeet;io:r1 with dowry as such the deaili of {he
deceased was dowry death wiiihin. the mean'i'1:ag of
Section 3048 IPC and by drawing 
Section 1138 of iihe Indian Evidence 
Sessions Judge ought to have   
the offence punishabie undera Seeﬁofiw.  
alternative, he submitted  iof  this
Court were to holdffiot.   failed to
hold that the deeeasied to erueity

soon Toefore"h'er_'death"'in con--r1eCtion with dowry, having
regard to the adri1i.ti:ed'---fei'eif"that the deceased, a married

woman had ii': an unnaturai Circumstance by

oOris'uf1iing*~Apoisc>n in the matrimoniai home within 7

yezltrsé  'Sh,-e" date. of the mamielge, the death of the

de€:'ease*d  suicidal and by drawing preetimpticin

 u:"i?:ederV'1i*3.eet:i()1": 113~»A of the Indian Elvideime Act, the

3'};eéi1"ﬁeci Sesésions Judge cmghi: to heave held iihafr; the

V""::c:{:t1Sed persons abetted €?()1"I1I1iiSSIi()l'i of Suiezftide; "by the

decreased and in i:hai; View of the .In21ti:er '(he accused

p=erSons oiizghi. to h.21.ve he,e::1 eo1'1viet.ed for the offence



punishable under Section 306 1"/W 34 IPC2 it'110t:V_fe_.r the
offence puI1iehab£e under Section 304~B 
he submits that the judgment, under 21p;)e3:l:"is4: 
be set. aside and the accused 3pe'1*ser1$ 

convicted for the charges leveltedéttetgeinst, them.-

7. On the other  learned
counsel for the respve'I.3..eIe.nt:V_Lf to justify
the judgment  that the
judgment   from any
perve1js_ittyv_e':n:::§'11:egg§,1tit{}.fE'  to him, the ieamed
Sessietls  '.:t}f')prec:iati()11 of the oral and

doeumendtagz .ex}icI_eVr1eea:hdas recorded a find1'I1g that the

 pre»secdti0h  been able to prove any of the

 'c:har_ge-S'"left/eil'e.d against them and since the fmdings

1"eec5'rded  the learned Sessions Judge are sound and

 reasomabje having regard to the evidence on record, this

"eg;ﬁt_. eiigtmggjg in zipped} a.g:s1inst. {the j,t;dg,g"m.er1t: e:3f::1ctqtdtt,ai

 <::g':nnet i31t'e1:"fe.re with these findi11.g$g it is his

su.bmiss;ien that the leamed Sessi<)11.s3 Judge has

exesiggned <_':<)ge.11t, reas()ns 21$ to Why 1.:he evidence of the



13

1.

>arem.s and tnhezr 1"4:éEat.iv€:5; of the decrrsased mm:

reliable and as to how the prosecution has fai_1.<?__d to prove the Charges t11(--3I'€3f{)I'€ thare is no g'r"Q§;1'1f1 d_'"i:Q int.erf<2'1"e with the judgmem. under appeal.--'.. "HeAz1ti€'_° H sought for dismissal of the appeej{l;'A" "

8. In the facts and cir::L1msi::3.1i'c_es of ~casé--, i-he. p0int.s that arise for our conS'id é1fat.i0n'are;T

1. Whether "1~1.'::"&'l.]'i1. € d' Jfjvdgé is justified in hﬁi16_3:'1g' __1';h:<2V".i{51'r)secuti0n has faiiegi tO""1:5'z'C:if}? chafgés levelled " 'the ' persons and in a.CqL1if{:i.. ' '

2. Wi1r§t.].r1t:r_ gnrudgment under appeal L"%L'V1ff€1."S" "'fFQfI'} p€YV€}'Sit},' or illegzllity calling rial": fnte1"'fex'€nce by this C0'L1rt'? bes~t;0w'ed our amxafous consicier'ati0;.1s 1:0 theV___vS'L:b'missi0ns made on both sides. We have H 'ge:.fu.sel<i;-- ﬁche reazrordg. Scrut4i:1i;e:ed the evicience both 0:25:11 ':7;é;"*=.rs?e}.1 as (i0Cum.<':I1i:3.ry and also rezui {he jiidgmaglti " -arlerier zagmeai.

14

10. As eoufd be seen from the j1e1_dgmeni'. under appeai, the iearned Sessions Judge aoqL:it.ted__ the accused persons of the chmges levelled age1i.L1et""for the following reasons: ' h V

(a) There is no cogent a11(1;'éiCC:ept:;ble _eV':d.en~ci'e to Sh()W' that the accused pf31'.SOI1S de;1i':1_I1ded 'jaJ1'dv a=eeep--t.ed_ dowry both in caeh and inhiiihﬁd in eo11neee1':ioi:»wVit.h the V marriage of the decteaisegl No.1

(b) The e',/V_ideI1ce...of"_the"V.oatre*h~te other relatives of the T._o"'xt"r1e~':venL:e of the pre-

marr{'age- to the quantum of aiieged dowry wi'tth_"..'1*egard to the llature of the gold o1fr1':'e1rr:1._§:?11ts giveI.1..._and the place where the gold V .'(>f13a_r:1.efr;tst. were got prepared, is highiy inconsistent and d';Sorepe1'r;:ii,_2i;s such, their evidence in this regard is not eonV~in::ing and rehabie:

{C} The d€C€i*.':1S6:'d hatrdhg fiiveci in the matrimoniai 'home either at Da1vanage1'e or at Hireke>gg21l'L:r with the aeeussedt after' the maraiage, for 21 perioo. of six mzntmihs whiie she iix.-*e.ci with. the a<':c:t::::§eci in If)21va:'::age3"e, M she was zidmittedly looked after well and thereai"{.er for a maximum period till the date of her death she Iiveci in her parental home at Mysore as such, ti1e;fe'4'x3}'eQs'~i.ri'o opportunity for the accused to subject _& V' any kind of cruelty;

{cl} '1' he evidence with 1jegarci'i:;o:'iolrie rw for further money for sirikiwﬁg bOf€.__VV»'i'11 £7.33 inconsistent and disei'e~p_aniJVas's:§1c1i"'z1o relieinee can be placed on them. The -'[_if_,'r§:c)rd does not establish subjected to orue1ty..Aso'or1 befoi'eL11.efi'cIe'ath in eoilnection with dowry; ,--{e)L ThE:i',e"iS fro 'evidence on record that the eommitteieiwsuicticie and by their willful conduct W'i:11c3%' :;i<;:v£:i;1~s5VecE:'~2:bei.ieci commission of suicide by the de4::"e--ase__d; -.

_ iféf} iaﬁiving' regard ':10 the i'ae:?i: '£:ha3;'. the ciectezi-eeezi W215; Eixéirsg in her maiernzil greirid fa,ther"s housse in Ajjihaili Viiizlge f'r:>r about one year prior to the marriage, the éieferiee p;Eea fliiéit. the 111a_I'riage of the gieeeasseci with >4?

'"_ /// i./ iiighly /"-

16 ac(:use(i_ No.1 was I"}1UCl'l 21ge1inSt. her wissh zmd that the deceased beiI1gg a gradL1at4e while E1CC11S€d N0._'l..__ had merely passed SS1.-C and though she: was b.nrI1"j-.;;£_i'1.d 'brought up in 21 city like Mysore, n1uc?l1"~«.gigainS'tnéj' ' Wish. she was; forced to live in 2:'é;i*na1lAvtiilla;g;eéV"vJ§1e'r<::V«'her matrimonial home was situe1t:ed,l'..sh::V_ out ltgjffrv1:.'st.r3.tion', in life: committed suicide, is

(g) The evidezxce': tzlaétt and

2 bad financial capacity' ._l.akl:1 and gold ornaments 'fl'<3*.xzr§} and to spend v? 5 lakhs 'for then by them.

ll.u'I:71_Vll'Ll1¢l the submissions made by the lee,r13.ed__LA'HV1gh 'CGu.rtvG0Vernrne31_i: Pleader, we closely ':;r:l:'t2i.Ti:":i¢2:5e;d«the: eviderlcse of the 111:21t<;=r:"ial witzlesgses to f_'i§1*..clil"lt;ut.l}at5Z€.;£2:nE',}1er the fin.cl.a'ngs 1"€(",{)I.'Cl€'iCl by the .learn<:-d r__S€$Si€:xns[.J11dge in I'€Spf;".(f'ili at charges levéjslled elgainst the '7_a«<é_{::.i';::t:*:ci peraons iSjL'1S'[1|f1'fEfCl. With reg£1:'d to the alleged Ciéinielzzd of dowry both in Cash EEI'1€l in kind, the p1f<}secutl{>n relied on the ttéstinztiray' of" ?X¥$A} amjl 2 whc> area the: p{:11"{';'f}.'}f,S9 PW'.3--E5icidai21h 2.11%? PW.2l~Prabl'm who are the two mai'er:t1a1 uméles, of the deeease::i, as 211.550 the evidence of PW'.7--Gu1'umu1'thyx the C0~broi;Tﬁér of PW.2 and PW.}4~La13'1:hamn"121, the s1'ster wife of PW. 7.

12. In her examin21ti011vi:ﬁ.5eiﬂﬁeii stated as to where the "ps1ja(:e.

She merely states thaztgt '%ﬁda*;-nﬁge, they gave cash of ?'i lak'}'4'1' 'A weighmg about 20 for the cloths of the bride g<i*5o_:i:. gme iri"V:f1.-11.:'s;§erit._ab'o1,z't 35 lakhs for the 1n.a1'riage.'-- 'She as to whether any talks took p1actee«.pi*i01' iii) the',rf2arI'iage and that d1.1ring such talks,'"i.he....aeCused_ demanded dowry in Cash anti' --k1nd." = 13,." 'PWI2 in his e><a.minatior:--:in{thief has mereiy _ét¢:.f:ed ihelt. as offered during the prevn1a1~rie1ge talks, " =_e'é:t5~3h "é;f ?3; Eakh and gold 0mame:::1t:s weigE1iI1g ab<>'ui:, 20 'iJ::}Ia.ss and $10,080/W for the <?i<>"i;hs of the bride groom were g;iVe11 :0 the bride groom. :.-H; the {time of the marriaigee Pie E/1215; aisca net se;t;atr::d 215 to where the E8 marriage. talks took place and whet:.h»e1' the E1CC'L1S('3C1 made any demands, Accrording to PW.3. preﬁm.2i1*riage talk took place in $116: house of the 21(:(:t1s.;r:C'1"_»e'1:'_r'1hC[V;~ attended the said talk on behalf of the to him. the accused persoms were _Ei§S-Q'7p1':€S€:?__I1"L', that talk. He has furthrgr sté:«t;<§'C1w-- §118tT.I~'h.

marriage talks it was agretétdhtiaat of the bride should give gold" dfnaments weighing about 20 toI:;1VVsv_v%;1sVVL§.t)_V\V7s2'ty --°aﬁcs'»i':"iV1'o.o00/~ for the clothes of ths¢4't5;ti.tic month of the marriage _* giver; to the actcusezd and about 153520 the marriage, ?10.000/-

towa;;:'dstA.thé s::1Qthes 'was given and at the time of the V"11nV;1f1*ia;;:;j&§ orrlaments Weig}1ing 20 toias were given. H * to the eVidc:11(:e of PW7. he did not j at.t.e:'1d. pre-marriage talks. Howevexi according t0 .j'~?";.£ﬁ:';«--._he {fame to krtew f:°<:>m atrcruseztf N:::>.2 about the ' dtéttaaiiss Qf U716? discussion in the pre»ma.r1"ie1ge talks and iearzlt that cash of 31 iakh and gcrxki ornaments Weighir1g about 20 mlass were in be given ta the'-: bride §.gfI°00r:n, in 51:', K 62/ 19 addiiiion to ?'10,000/+ for the cfothes of the bride groom. Thus the evidence of PW] is o11Iy hearsay. also has not s':,at'ed as to where the pre~marriage talks took place. V d

15. According to the evidence of sister of PW.1 and wife of PW.7_, ..1ih_e V' took place at Davanagere. But. s.11e-idties i;iQf in whose house 13re»Hia,rEi.s_.ge ficfzliis place." According to her. she a.1so------ d'i'd"':..1_oi aitevnd..vv'Et11e pre~» marriage talk. Howevef S:E1L"'.C.éiY:ii1€l?,1"}'(?\»V subsequently aboui:_'._th=e detai}"sce4Vt;fV t£isc'ussion and the decision reached.' has firif 'stated as to from whom she came '_ iOv_'k;21QV?i? :'a.}:)oL1if: "thosevdetaiis. Therefore, the evidence of regard is only a hearsay and not 2i::E11'iissibio'j_isr."f evidence.

hviﬁicctording to the eviclence of 13W.21»the yc:%ii.:3,ge1' brother of PW3, the pre~mar1'iage iaiks took place in his house at Ajjihaiii viilage. Ace<>1'd.i:t";g to him, he and 2131 the .21ccz..1sed were. present.' He has also stated ifhai, during the pi'e~Haaarriagce i,a.1i<s, if wzis decided that 20 Clewry of 31 iakh and gokd ()1'nament.:3 weighing 20 tolas and ?10,000/~» fer the clothes of the bride groom _s_£_10uid be given to the bride groozm.

17' According to the evidence yomager brother of the dec:easeC1}mhe' dees 1'1<31;T £{r1eV\x>'--:1s 1:0 where the p1'e~marriage attended and Whether he eailteificied t;he_Vme.}riefgeVVVt"a1ks or 1101:.

18. Thus the eviT(1Ae1; (S_e' with regard to alleged p3}e':»f11arfi;ige' te1k is. not consistent: and cogent. The parents of themselves have not stated as to where the -pre{n1a§f_riage itaiks took place. There is in/:Qnsisteney'».i_.n the evicienee of two maternal uncles of V ' .;th7e deéteaissv.-'1:d as to the Vezme of the pre~ma:"r:iage taiks. 4:h5:s'e. witnesses have stated in their evidence '-7'A;1.3*:«1t. i:}ie".";3e(ie=L"1sed demanded the dowry and the parents 0f"---the bri*<'ie aeeepf;:e<:i the same. [:1 fact, in the cross- AA{fff§=£&?1II"i'f;I"i"«E7L'[.i{)i1 sf PVW.-3.} 21m} 2' it is elicited {mm} 'ihem that it ezzeioln in their C()fI1FI11,1I1iT,}-' to <:=.21s.sh, gold and A7-ei:i*:e1* 211"*:,§<::ies at the time ef the Iiazirriazgéi arld as per I») their custom they llewe giver} cash and other articles to the bride groom "VaropaCh.ara".

I9. Perusal of the €ViC1€11C€ of th.e_sc--. ' indicate that PWs.1 and 2 had ___r:-yo. .'fi4r1e11ierérI pay dowry of ?'1 iakh and grid £§r1'1'?c'tnik::«1'_2: t:-3. about 20 tolas. No me1terre1,1VL4"'i.s% producedtt 'toVV"e}io'xv"jthat"' PW.2 had money. It, 1% 11Qt;-------t41Af'1'§.jé§'at%3/ ()f'«"PW.?;VEthat he borrowed money frorrr ee'V:.'§'.1f1'é:-..detai1s of the ornaments said' to have bee1i=.giver1":'t4o the bride and bride groorri"_««..Vf1-asﬁev ..stated_. There is inconsistency the omaments were got prepared.'>-.A_(;eordj_r:g"t:o~7't11e parents of the deceased it wavsﬂereparvfed :5: 'D.1I.vs.ore or Shimoga. According to the 'o.th'er_ \;2rjt11e':3§,?es it was prepared in Shimoga. There is no tE%eﬁ313'teT_ex}idenee as to where the oma.men_ts were 'x__prepare'd';, if so, what were the descriptiorl of those "«:"<s:ir:ei:':rrér1t.e. Except st.:a1tir'rg that 20 toms-is of gcjici or?r12«rme;1t.s were giver}, the w:i.t:2'1ess3e3 hzzve not stated as V' to the deseript.ior1 of the (;m21n":e11ts. Under these €'.iI"(f1.E1'I3S'iia£1{ff;?E§, in our opirrio1'1, the iea-r.rned Sessions Judge is jusi'.i.fi.ed in h01.dir1g that the evidence on--_r_ec0rd does not satisfaci'.o1'ily establish that' t:1m:2 a(7c,v;sedfp1*i.{>r to the ma;I_"ri2:ge demanded dowry in cash 'g:.i__id. j'K=iri'd%ai1'd accepted the same either pric>1i';i{e "(Jr ;1.17., t.i1e.if£irr;evv'of the marriage. Thue the finding _ree.__0r'ded fhve" .1e'a.ri1edr, Sessions Judge in this reg2ir(i""iS s<)uI1d"211.1t1 reasonable having regard to evidence We firzwd no error committred by the learned,_SeSs§0nS.,J'Lidge in this regard, as such the ;sa'idc,e1i7ind§--.ng deVeS"net7'C:aI.1.v:for interference by this Court: H H the alleged cruelty and h.arassmei'1f:A 1'Ii('31ZC_'C1AAt£}l:1'L'...'ii:O the deceased by the accused aff.'e}'. joined' h.er«'husba1i1d in the matrimoniai home ' ''cQriCe1'ri'ed','*.as rightly pointed out; by the learned S¢2.SSi0n_s"c}iU.Adge, the evideiaee is mat. (f'i()1'}ViI"1CiF1g and 2an::(:e_p€;Vai:£e:. it is the c011sist.e:1t say of 211} the materiai '=.s'«;'i_'ElIi§§?f--.'SE:'>'f:',E=3 thai; fer abeut: ;:r:<mihsa a.f't'e:' the _rriarriag'e, 2 the deceassed was looked after' Weii by {he accused. it is E11S€) in evidence 011 record ti"1a.i' a'r3<>uT. 3 E"E1OI1'thS after 'the rriarrieigge, she became _preg:i1z1r1t: and wiiife she was 23 mnriirlg feurith month pregrlazfiey she came to the parental home at: Mysore and ti}! about: 9 months after the birth of the Child she stayed in her parental home. Thereafter for a brief period she Came to mafmfin.1O'iqia1 home and within about 15 days or one r11e__J:-1th back to parental home and st2iyed_4thei"'e"tiilfv'V Admittedly she came to theinAm:§iji*ii11er2ié1l_--: 11e1:i_ie.f;Va;t. Hirekogalur in the early of in-'é:1ving"d' Mysore during the night of 11.30 3.111. on 5.8.2003, " e{e§€i»1j}s1ir1ie*dV%"' poison. in the matri.mo11iéiI5}i0:n'eVa.nd"~:§ied._' Thus. Herzl this it is elear that the ..dee%eased'ii§-red in the maiirimonial home. .Aee0fdivng««:0 the evidence of PWs.1 and 2, at V §}h:€3"i'Eif1'1§fi'."§5f the marriage accused No.1 was _mr1riing a prQ{?isiQria11._ef.ore in Ihvaiiagere and aE't:e.r few months he fell inte '1.bad vices, incéurred heavy less in the business, '_ i=i.E:»e_f'efere. eieeed down the bu'E5iI'i€.Er§i-'3 emd went asway and VA u was imi; heard for about omit year Eifid tthereafter he jointed his pareratis in Hiei«:<,;gaIu11, From the exzidericte on re:C<)rd, it is; further eiear i:;hai: Whiie iilfie deceased and 24 accused No.1 were staying in Emvarieiggere the pare;nts«« inwlaw of the deceased were res1'e:1i_11§,>; in Hirektugalur which was n.a1:1've village of accused No.2. Havi_n.gf';:e§;;ard to fact that the deceased hardiy lived in home, the ﬁnding recorded byjlje }eé'1£''r'1'e:<ii:v. "

Judge that there was no OI3}3OTJ{.tl'I1iI.,.Y"f'ni"v)I' hardly live in the matr§mOi'1ja£.. heme Vanci eVin'ee""aVeeused'V V N0s.2 and 3 were living sep.a2';i"Ie1y*--»..§11 Hii'eK(.)gz{1ur while the deceased and é1.ec'uSe:{':'» ::1\fd.' I1 *y\--»*e.re residing in Davanagere, thezte wjgis £9105 ().ppe3:.it1I}ii€';j,'V for the accused to sub3'ee'r._f1*ze_--cieC:easedwﬁe r;r_ne1ty and ha1'assm.ent. 22;.v_Ac%eeordiﬁg§ of the pr(>seeuti.01'15 after lap:-;;e" Qf ab'cs.L_1fV Six months, accused Na} started /« for sinking bore well and the said fuifilied by PWs.1 and 2. However, ihe evidence in" this regard is also Irzighfy irleezx-sistent and §i.:.ia:;fre:g§é1r:t'. Aeeerdiiig is eome of {he wimessee, ?'V25',A0OO/~ was giverx while few efzher wi'mess<:3e Say that "€90,000/~ was; given. Some wimes§5e;s 3213.? that the IfI.1('){1€3j./ was handeci ever to 21<::<'f:.1s5;e,ci N(:».E. wE1ii<:: the ",5 2";

others have stateci that. PWS. .1 22..1'1d 2 Trhemsseives came to Hirekogellur and sunk the borewe.1.1 by sper1dir1g rnoney. 'I'he.refore, in the light. of the ineens.ist.em': a11ciA.._dié C'repaa1t evidence, in our opinion, the learned. Sess'i'Q:1sjfJud§_{e--iS justified in hoiding that the evieiellee oh;re:c:ord.doeS' net satisfactoriiy establish that t,he. €1e(:eaee.'t;i.had sub3'eeted to cruelty and.v "e»hare1sSm'e11i5 'either in Connection with doxnrij/'V.or for aVr13r._oth~e'r while she was staying in her mgrtrimeriia} ho1i%1eT._'wi-7111 the accused. Therefore, the";1ear11"ed§SesSi<;sr1s""Judge is justified in hoidihg has feliied to prove the charge' 'L1'}'}"C},CI" IPC.

uNo.v_d'oi1b.tx', the death of the deceased has V ' oeerrrred ﬁriiihin 7' years from {he date of the marriage in .u'r1_h:1i:ara;1 :;:i'rvr:'i1rnsia'I1(:e in the 1'I1.'c1U'iI1".101"ii£11 home. It is Very p--ertir1ez1i: to .r1ote that at the tight? if death PW:-::.l i-3,315 2x-were arise preeemii in the r:12u::rin1_<;2r:ia1 home of the 'Vderfeaseci. As raofjced suprzi, 'there is no eogem. evidence "re aeeept that deceased had been subjeded to cruelty grad ha.rassrnez1t:. in c:or11'1eet':ier1 with {£c.)w1*y $001} before 26 her death. '1'he1*ei'c.>r*e, the c1<;=.a1t,h of the deceaseci cannot be termed as dowry death. within the meaming of Section 304~B IPC as such, the learneci SC-SSi()I1SW justified in holding that the E1C(3E,1S€d are 1'1c)'{:«':§;t1i_1t;s,:rV'of said charge.

24. No doubt, the :evidei1ce.*_ oI1. :1."eco17.d'~ establish that the death degmgeidejxveis»"ét::L:1c1a1."

However, in the absengte ci';f'"é11'"'1"3,Vf 1' ::og§<::1t: arid 'eiceeptable evidence placed by the-1p1'os'eeut.ioVr'{;t0_'_ip1'ove that the deceaeed }"1€L€j""V:b.C€T1:3.'S11bii'éCt'€d'":.V1i9.._._§£fLE€31ty within the meaoingof 'IPC, the presumption under Section VVio1.3?~A 'I:t7i'diaI1 Evidence Act to the effect th.at:. etccue'ed.._._a}>ated commission of suicide by the ' deeeaseti §:'{5a».'I.:}V4£':]',()t be drawn.

" A n the evidence on re(:ord that prior to the n1a1'ri3§g.e,Vtor about one year, the decreaeed stayed in her n'ie;t.er:1a} gretnd pa:re.r1ts home in Aj3fih.a1i.i village. The i;eas.~3o:1 as to why the ezieceasseti :~3i:e1.y:-ztci t:he're for about. one year prior to the marriage is; not. forth coming. Admittedly, the decesaeeci was bom emci bi"(>ug}1ti up in to «E Mysore City. She was 3. BA. gradLaa't:e. It is suggested in the e1"()s5~exa1nim1ti0n of m.at;erial witnesses, nzufnely, PWs.1, 2 and other witnesses t;hat, while 'de'<;:2éaSeQ1 was in the eoliegeﬁ, she had 21 iove affair'wjt}if_t'ssr1e1:}*ze1j boy and she wanted to marry the. ?3§)y'e1zi:d_;I}:"Ortier to bring an end to the said; love z§1'ff2i.i}:f, t:he,d.ece:5iseii W:--1s' left in A}jih.al1i village. the have denied the said of any specific reasonﬁthe who was born and br0ug1r1§ completed BA.

A' in her maternal grand parents; year prior to the marriage in z§._1j'ihaE1i.Vxri11;_i§§e, stxfficient to hold that all was not " Wei} iri };.e_r'*family and for some specific reason she was In-é1_d.e"t:$'"sta3}j*i'f}. the viiiage for about. 1 yeezr prior to her 1né.rri:age:.'v ''

28. it is; in the CV.'i{i€1}€;"f€ Gr: reeerd that accused had mereiy passed SSLC and had no ernp10ymeI1t:. was runrling a medical E11161 pr()v1'.s;-310;} store in Davanagere. The family of the .':1C('f"t,IS€tf.f was mat": that /:37"

hyper se,nsii:Eve lady, ssimée the n321:"1'ia1gge, 21ppearS_ to be was much against: her wis'11, Ei('.CLESE'.d No.1 \A_:'a.3"'«.:1_T(;:;. a match to her on the educaticura from". and sent to I11ai;ri:I10ma1 home much' a§2,1iIii$;;{:--.Vhe1f_:=wi'1_},u appears to have committed suiti«iAde:___ T 'The':-e'a.sQ:j deceased Committing €a'L1iVtL':iC_1"(3:'..V'iS .r:.1"ot__ s=,E3{)v_.r.ri'.._ t'0w~be on"

account of alleged r3Ifue1i'.ye-"em'd. haz'assié1'e--nt...vv" On the other hand, it was 'A _1i:3 *.t£'*1ei back. -g1-c)und of the cireumstanC_es: V-._n0§:i"ed. s,u'p.f;1., ' ' Under these cirCL1mst£:iI 1ce'S.,.""the "1e-a:'13ed_ 'Sessions Judge in our Opinion, iSTAjvi'1_s%:_ified §.;'i"~hc:}di:1g that the prosecrution has failedeto' prove 't.haf..1_;he4;a(:c:usec1 persons were in any way reSpQ1'ie§b1e_ fer Commission of suicide by the deceased. 'i31 't}1is' View of the maf:.i;e1". the findilags 1*e£:ci'rc:1Ae.;d by t;he"1'e'afned S€SSi()I1S Jucige 2111: ,<50u1'1<:¥ and ' ,re'a..s01"1fcibI<:=:. 'ha_\:i11g regard tn evider1(*.e an record. We 'fiIi<Ti' 1:0? 5p:3f§:er5sii,y or §.1Ieg211it'y in the jur:1gn1er1t: under e1;5p:::aJ_'." T?I€Y€f(}'I'€, we fimgi no g_§,rm,1z'1ci to iz1te:"fere with "V nfrl?':r_;:< Séiffi j1idg1"I1€f'iT..

27. Ac:c:01'di:r1g1y, the appea} ciisn11'ssed. The jL1dgme11t of acqL1iti.a1 daiieci 37.2.2005 passed by the PresidiI1_g Officer, Fast Track Couri--I._ I)e1\Ie1I121gg£3re in S.C.No.£1~/2004 is hereby affirmed.

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