ANIS, J. - (1.)THIS Criminal Revision Case under Sections 397 and 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short, 'Cr.P.C') is filed by the revision petitioner herein challenging the judgment dated 27.06.2006, passed by the IV Additional District and Sessions Judge, (Fast Track Court), at Siddipet, in Criminal Appeal No.60 of 2006, whereunder and whereby the conviction and sentence passed against the revision petitioner herein for the offence punishable under Section 304 -B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'I.P.C'), vide the judgment dated 27.03.2006 in Sessions Case No.306 of 2004 by the Assistant Sessions Judge, Siddipet, was confirmed.
(2.)THE revision petitioner herein is A.1, whereas respondent herein is the complainant in Sessions Case No.306 of 2004 before the trial Court. For the sake of convenience, the parties hereinafter will be referred to as they are arrayed in the Sessions Case before the trial Court.
(3.)THE case of the prosecution in brief is that one Chandana (hereinafter referred to as 'the deceased') is the elder daughter of PW.1. She was married to A.1 in the year 1998 by paying dowry of Rs.80,000/ - cash, five tolas gold and thirty tolas of silver on demand by A.1, his parents A.2 and A.3 and his sister A.4 who was deserted by her husband. A.1 and the deceased lead their wedded life happily for about six months after their marriage and thereafter, all the accused started harassing the deceased physically and mentally to bring more dowry from her parents and thereafter, they necked her out from their home. A.1 went to the house of PW.1 and demanded PW.1 to give more dowry otherwise he will not take his wife with him and also threatened that he will kill her if he fail to fulfil his demand. On such threat, PW.1 gave Rs.5,000/ - to his daughter and sent her to the house of A.1. Two years thereafter, one day in the afternoon, A.1 came to the house of PW.1 and in the presence of male members, damaged the television and other house hold articles and also beat his mother -in -law and younger daughter of PW.1. Observing such high handed behaviour of A.1, the neighbours came there and on seeing them A.1 fled away. In that connection, PW.1 and few of the villagers of Raorukala village approached the Advocate by name Raja Reddy of Siddipet, who is no more, who in turn called A.1, A.2 and A.4 to his house and got them paid cash of Rs.8,000/ - by PW.1 and sent the deceased along with them advising to look after well. Sometime thereafter, again A.1 to A.4 started harassing the deceased to bring Rs.20,000/ - from her parents on pretext of buying tractor for A.1. On coming to know about the same, PW.1 by incurring debts here and there fulfilled the demand of the accused. The Accused persons being not satisfied with the amount, continued their harassment on the deceased to bring Rs.35,000/ - from her parents. When PW.1 expressed his inability to meet the demand of accused, they intensified their harassment towards the deceased and unable to bear the said harassment, the deceased got vexed with her life and committed suicide by hanging herself on the intervening night of 14/15.01.2004 in the house of the accused. After receiving the complaint from PW.1, the police registered the case against A.1 to A.4 in Cr.No.04 of 2004 of Rajgopalpet Police Station for the offence punishable under Section 304 -B I.P.C. The Investigating Officer recorded the statements of the witnesses. In the presence of mediators, PW.12 -Mandal Revenue Officer conducted the inquest panchanama and thereafter, the Investigating Officer sent the body for post -mortem examination. The doctor -PW.11 conducted post -mortem examination and gave opinion that the death of the deceased was due to respiratory arrest due to asphyxia resulted in pressure over the neck. After receiving the post - mortem report, inquest report and after completion of investigation, the Investigating Officer filed the charge sheet into the Court.
The learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Siddipet, took cognizance of the case for the offence punishable under Section 304 - B I.P.C and thereafter, committed the case to the Court of Sessions Division, Medak, at Sangareddy, who made over the same to the Court of Assistant Sessions Judge, Siddipet, for disposal according to law. On appearance of A.1 to A.4, the Assistant Sessions Judge, Siddipet, framed charge for the offence punishable under Section 304 -B I.P.C against them. During trial, on behalf of the prosecution, PWs.1 to 14 were examined and Exs.P1 to P10 and MO.1 were got marked. Ex.D1 got marked during the cross examination of PW.4.