1 S.C.No.109/2018
IN THE COURT OF II ADDITIONAL SESSIONS JUDGE
KARIMNAGAR AT JAGTIAL.
PRESENT: G.SUDARSHAN II-Addl. Sessions Judge,
KARIMNAGAR AT JAGTIAL.
TUESDAY, THE 26th DAY OF APRIL, 2022.
SESSIONS CASE NO. 109 of 2018
(On committal by the Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Metpalli vide PRC.No.8 of 2017 order dated 19.02.2018.)
Name of the :The Sub Divisional Police Officer, complainantsJagtial in Cr.No.184 of 2016 of PS Metpalli.
Description of the :Eleshawaram Venugopal, S/o. Sathaiah. Age: 34 years. Goldsmith, accused R/o. Allipoor.
Charges:U/s. 304-B of IPC.
Plea of the accused:Not guilty
Finding of the Court:N O T G U I L T Y
Sentence or order:In the result, the accused found not guilty for the offence punishable U/s.498-A, 304-B IPC and under Section 235(1), Cr.P.C. they are acquitted of the said offence. The accused A1 and A2 shall be set at liberty and their bail bond shall stand cancelled after six months.
Prosecution conducted by:Miss. D.Srivani, Additional Public Prosecutor
Defence conducted by:Sri V. Venugopal, Advocate.
2 S.C.No.109/2018 :: J U D G M E N T ::
1. The Sub Divisional Police Officer, Jagtial has filed charge sheet in Cr.No.184 of 2016 of P.S. Metpalli for the offence punishable
Under Section 304-B I.P.C against the accused.
2. The prosecution case in brief as per the charge sheet is as follows:- On 5.1.2013 the marriage of deceased Nagalaxmi performed with accused. At the time of marriage, the parents of the deceased presented net cash of Rs.5 Lakhs, 100 gms gold, motor cycle worth of
Rs.50,000/- and household articles towards dowry. After the marriage, they look after the deceased well for a period of one month. The accused working as a Cashier in Deccan Grameena Bank, Raikal. Having illegal intimacy with a lady, with an intention to avoid the deceased. The elder brother in law of deceased, her co-sister/Rani, sister-inlaw and on her husband started harassing the deceased physically and mentally demanding to bring Rs,20 Lakhs as additional dowry. The deceased was subjected to harassment physically and mentally for six months, finally they necked out her from the house. As such the deceased came to their house and stayed. The accused and his relatives contacted the deceased over phone several times and harassed her mentally stating that why she is living by 3 S.C.No.109/2018 eating eatables, as she failed to bring additional dowry Rs.20 Lakhs. Due to which she disgusted over her life, as such she fell ill-health. Due to unbearable mental harassment, the deceased fell mental agony and ill- health, she died on 13.8.2016. Basing on the complaint lodged by LW1.
The SHO of PS Metpalli registered vide in Crime no. 184/2016
U/sec. 304-B of IPC. After completion of investigation charge sheet is filed against accused. Hence, the charge.
3. Learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Metpalli took cognizance for the offence punishable under section 304-B of IPC against accused, after complying with the requirement of furnishing with copies of relevant documents to the accused under Section 207, Cr.P.C., the said Magistrate committed the case under Section 209(a), Cr.P.C. to the Hon'ble Principal Court of Session, Sessions Division, Karimnagar.
4. The Principal Sessions Judge, Karimnagar registered the case and made over the same to this Court for disposal according to law. After appearance of the accused after hearing both sides this Court framed charge for the offence punishable under section 304-B of IPC against 4 S.C.No.109/2018 accused , read over and explained to him in Telugu. They pleaded not guilty and claimed to be tried.
5. In support of prosecution case P.Ws.1 to 14 were got examined and Exhibits P.1 to P.21 and M.Os.1 to 4 were got exhibited on behalf of the prosecution.
6. After closure of prosecution side evidence the accused was examined under Section 313, Cr.P.C. He denied the incriminating circumstances appearing against him in the prosecution side evidence. He reported he is having defence evidence. The accused permitted to give evidence as per the orders in Crl.MP No.70 of 2022 dt: 18.2.2022 as
DW1. Ex.D1 to D6 are marked.
7. Heard both sides.
8. The learned prosecutor argued that the prosecution prove the guilt of the accused by the evidence of PWs1 to PWs3 and Pws 10 to 13, hence the accused is liable for conviction.
5 S.C.No.109/2018
9. The learned counsel for the accused filed written arguments and argued that there is no any evidence on record to attract the ingredients of Sec. 304-B IPC. More particularly the death of the deceased is a natural death and all the witnesses admitted the said fact.
He further argued that except the evidence of PWs1 to3 absolutely there is no other material evidence to prove the guilt of the accused. The learned counsel argued that the prosecution failed to prove the allegation raised by Pws 1 to 3 that the accused had illegal intimacy with another women. He also argued that there is an abnormal delay in lodging complaint before the police.
10. The learned counsel argued that on seeing the evidence, it clearly shows that after due deliberations, the complaint was lodged on 14.08.2016 at 4.00 P.M. Whereas the deceased found dead at 6.00 A.M.
That itself shows the defacto complainant intentionally foisted the case against the accused. The learned counsel further argued that the accused already filed a divorce petition against the deceased, which is pending on the file of Sr.Civil Judge, Court, Jagtial vide OP No. 4/2014.
In support of his argument the learned counsel relied on the Judgement of Hon’ble Supreme Court in Sandeept Kumar and others Vs. State of 6 S.C.No.109/2018
Uttarakhand 2) Kanchan Sharma Vs. State of Uttarpradesh and another.
Hence, prayed to acquit the accused.
10. On hearing both sides and on the evidence on records the following points are arising for consideration.:
1)Whether the prosecution proved the ingredients for the offences U/sec. 304-B of IPC and 498-A of IPC in the present case ?
2)Whether the prosecution proved the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt for the offences under which the accused charged ?
3) To what result?
11.POINT No.1: & 2- Before discussing on the points it is better to discuses the evidence on record. PW1 is the brother of the deceased, he deposed that the deceased Nagalaxmi died on 14.8.2016. It is his further evidence that his sister Nagalaxmni marriage took placed with the accused on 5.1.2013. At the time of marriage, they have paid Rs.5 Lakhs dowry, 100 gms of gold and Rs.15,000/- for the purpose of motor cycle were paid to the accused. He also stated that they have spend around of
Rs.4 lakhs for the purpose of marriage expenses. It is his further evidence that they have also given furniture worth of Rs.2 Lakhs apart from sarees. After the marriage, the accused and deceased lead marital 7 S.C.No.109/2018 life for month. Thereafter, the accused started harassing his deceased sister. The accused developed illegal intimacy with another woman and started harassing deceased in order to get ride of her. The accused beat the deceased demanding additional dowry of Rs. 20 Lakhs. PW1 further stated that once when he accompanied with his sister to the house of accused to drop her, on seeing them, the accused broken the TV remote by shouting on deceased stating, why she again came to his house, by saying so, he send them out of the house. 10 or 15 days thereafter, her father paid Rs.5 Lakhs to accused, but the accused did not took back his deceased sister. One week or 10 days thereafter, his father took the deceased to the house of accused in order to drop her. On seeing his father and deceased, he shouted by damaging the tourchlight, he shouted stating why she again came to their house, by saying so, he went away. On that her father and deceased returned back.
After some days, her father called a panchayath before the elders, but the accused did not turned up. The accused used to call to her father and deceased, he used to demand additional dowry. Due to harassment of the accused, the deceased fed up on her life, as the accused having illegal contact with another women and harassed her mentally and physically.
8 S.C.No.109/2018
The accused elder brother, sister in law, his elder sister and her husband also used to harass his deceased sister demanding for additional dowry, when his sister was in the house of accused. In the month of July, 2016 his father died in a road accident. Since, the accused is not living with his sister and having illegal contact with other women, as such the deceased used to suffer mentally. Due to mental agony the deceased died on 14.8.2016. He further stated that they have informed about the death of the deceased to the accused and his relatives, but no one turned up. Then
PW1 went to police station lodged Ex.P1 report.
PW2 is the another brother of the deceased , he also celebrated evidence of PW1 regarding the marriage of deceased and payment of dowry to the accused at the time of marriage. He also stated about the harassment of the accused for additional dowry and demand of plot. It is his further evidence about calling the deceased over phone and harassing her for demand of dowry. He also stated that finally the deceased died due to mental agony.
PW3 is the sister of Pws1 to 3 and deceased. She also stated same evidence as PW1 and PW2 regarding the marriage of deceased with 9 S.C.No.109/2018 accused and payment of dowry. She further stated that the deceased was subjected to harassment by the accused for want of additiondal dowry of Rs.20 Lakhs. It is her further evidence that due to harassment and mental agony, the deceased committed suicide on 14.8.2016.
PW4 is the panch witness for the inquest panchanama and scene of offence. He deposed that on 14.8.2016 police conducted inquest over the dead body of the deceased and also stated that about the conducting of scene of panchanama.
PW5 to PW9 are as independent witness, but none of the witness supported the prosecution version.
PW10 is the Civil Asst. Surgeon, he deposed that he conducted Post mortem examination over the dead body. He further stated that during the examination, he found the body of the deceased atrophied (the body was congested) Some of the organs of the deceased were collapsed.
PW11 worked as Tahisldar of Metpalli, he deposed that on 14.8.2016 he received a requisition from SHO, Metpalli to conduct inquest over the 10 S.C.No.109/2018 dead body. Accordingly, he secured PW4 and LW11/Kotagiri Laxmi in their presence, he conducted inquest and issued report. It is his further evidence that the witnesses opined that after the marriage, the deceased was subjected to harassment by her husband and family members for
additional dowry.
PW12 is the SI of Police, he deposed that on 14.8.2016 at 4.00pm the defacto complainant came to the police station and lodged complaint
Ex.P1. He register the said complaint vide in Fir No. 184/2016 U/sec.
304-B of IPC and issued FIR. Ex.P18 is the same. It is his further evidence that since the death of the deceased is below 7 years of marriage, he handed over the CD file to Sub DPO for investigation.
PW13 is the Investigating officer, he deposed that on 14.8.2016 he received CD file and took up further investigation. It is his further evidence that PW12 Tahsildar conducted inquest over the dead body of the deceased. On his instructions PW12 apprehended the accused on 17.11.2016. He further stated that he examined the material witnesses and after collecting relevant documents and filed charge sheet.
11 S.C.No.109/2018
In defence the accused himself examined as DW1 and got marked
Ex.D1 to D6.
12. Hon’ble Supreme Court in GIRISH SINGH Vs. STATE OF
UTTARAKHAND reported in (2020) 18 SCC 423 in para 35 and 36 held the necessary ingredients required for the offence U/sec. 304-B IPC as follows:-
i)Within seven years of the marriage, they must happen the death of women (the wife).
ii)The death must be caused by any burns or bodily injury or the death must occur otherwise than under normal circumstances.
iii) It must be established that soon before her death, she was subjected to cruelty or harassment.
iv)The Cruelty or harassment may be by her husband or any relative of her husband.
v)The cruelty or harassment by the husband or relative of the husband must be for, or in connect with, any demand for dowry.
36. Section 304-B treats this as a dowry death. Therefore, in such circumstances, it further provides that husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death. Section 113-B of the Evidence
Act, 1872 provides for presumption as to dowry death. It provides that when the question is whether the dowry death, namely the death contemplated under Section 304 IPC. Has been committed by a person, if it is shown that soon before her death the women was subjected by 12 S.C.No.109/2018 such person to cruelty or harassment, for or in connection with, any demand for dowry, the court shall presume that such person had caused the dowry death. It is no doubt a rebuttable presumption and it is open to the husband and his relatives to show the absence of the elements of section 304-B”.
13. In the present case, the learned counsel for accused vehemently argued that the death of the deceased is a natural death and she died at her parents house. Further there is no evidence that the deceased was subjected to cruelty or harassment soon before her death.
14. Having considering the argument made by the counsel for accused now it has to be scrutinized whether the prosecution established the necessary ingredients of the offence of Sec.304-B IPC, or not.
15. Admittedly there is no dispute regarding the death of the deceased. PW10 Medical officer in Ex.P15 final report opined that the cause of death “Cardio respiratory arrest due to multiple organs failure“.
In cross examination PW10 admitted that the death of the deceased is a natural death.
13 S.C.No.109/2018
16. PW1 in his cross examination admitted that the death of the deceased is a natural death. Even PW4 in his cross examination stated that the deceased died naturally. PW12 investigating officer also in his cross examination admitted that the death of the deceased is natural death. Thus the evidence on record clearly established that the death of the deceased is a natural death.
17. In the entire evidence on record, except the evidence of
PWs1 to 3, who are the family members of the deceased no other independent witnesses supported the prosecution version.
18. So far as the subjecting the deceased to harassment for want of additional dowry is concerned. Though PW1 in his evidence stated about the payment of dowry at the time of marriage and subsequent demand of additional dowry by the accused but in the cross examination. He has clearly admitted that he has not mentioned in Ex.P1 and also not stated in his 161 Cr.PC statement.
The said relevant evidence is reproduced hereunder for proper appreciation. I did not mentioned in Ex.P1 as well as in my 161 Cr.PC statement that “ we have spent around Rs.4 Lakhs for the purpose of marriage expenses i.e,., function hall, dinner and other expenses and that we have also given furniture worth of Rs.2 Lakhs apart from sarees. It is true I have not mentioned in Ex.P1 and also not stated in my 161 Cr.PC statement that once when I accompanied with my sister with the house of accused to drop her at their house and that on seeing us the accused broken the TV remote by shouting on the deceased stating that why she again came to his house by 14 S.C.No.109/2018 saying so, he send us out of the house. Similarly I have not mentioned in Ex.P1 and also not stated in my 161 Cr.PC statement that 10 or 15 days thereafter, my father paid Rs. 5 Lakhs to the accused, but the accused did not took back my deceased sister”.
19. On seeing the above produced evidence it shows that it is an improvement made by the witness while giving the evidence. He himself admitted that neither he mentioned in Ex.P1 nor stated in his 161 Cr.PC statement. Similarly PW2 and PW3 also in their cross examination admitted about the improvements made during their evidence regarding the payment of Rs.5 Lakhs subsequent to marriage by their father.
20. PW1 in his cross examination admitted that his deceased sister lead marital life only for three months with the accused , after the marriage and they never lived together till the death of the deceased. He also admitted that since 2 ½ or 3 years prior to her death, his deceased sister residing in their house. PW13 investigated officer in his cross examination admitted that as per Ex.P1 there is matrimonial disputes between accused and deceased within six months of their marriage.
21. The main allegations made against the accused by PWs1 to 3 is that the accused having illegal contact with another women harassed the 15 S.C.No.109/2018 deceased for want of additional dowry. As admitted by PW1 the deceased stayed only for 3 months in the house of accused, later she return to her parents house and till her death, the deceased remained at her parents house.
22. With regarding the illegal intimacy is concerned. None of the witnesses specifically stated with whom the accused had illegal intimacy.
PW1 in his cross examination clearly admitted that he do not know with whom accused having illegal contact. Even the Investigating officer/PW13 in his cross examination stated that he made investigation regarding the illegal intimacy with a lady, but he could not make out the name and identical particulars of the said lady. The admitted evidence of PW1 and the evidence of PW13/IO it is clearly ruled out that the prosecution has not established about the illegal intimacy of the accused with another lady.
23. So far as the subjecting the deceased to harassment is concerned as per the evidence in the cross examination of PWs1 to 3, the deceased stayed at the house of accused only for 3 months. PW1 in his cross examination clearly admitted that the deceased has not filed any 16 S.C.No.109/2018 complaint before the Metpalli Court. He also stated that his father not made any complaint before the police, when the accused demanded dowry through mobile phone. PW3 in his cross examination admitted that from the date of marriage, till the death of deceased her father has not made any complaint before the police or in a Court against the accused about his harassment of additional dowry.
24. Hon’ble Supreme Court in Durga Prasad and another Vs.
State of Madhyapradesh reported in (2010)9 SCC 73 in para 17 held
as follows:
17.“ As has been mentioned herein before, in order to hold an accused guilty of offence under Section 304-B IPC it has to be shown that apart from the fact that the women died on account of burn or bodily injury, otherwise than under normal circumstances, with in 7 years of her marriage, it has also to be shown that soon before her death, she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband for or, in connection with any demand for dowry. Only then would such death be called “dowry death” and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused the death of the women concerned. “.
25. In the case of hand admittedly on the perusal of evidence of
Pws 1 to 3 though they alleged that the deceased had been subjected to cruelty and harassment prior to her death, but however as per the 17 S.C.No.109/2018 admitted evidence of PWs 1 to 3, the deceased resided and lead marital life with the accused only for 3 months, thereafter she left to her parents house. In the cross examination of the witnesses, much less PWs1 to 3 clearly stated that neither the deceased nor her father made any complaint before the Police or filed any complaint before the Court, that the accused subjected to deceased to harassment for additional dowry.
Absolutely, there is no other evidence to prove that the deceased subjected to cruelty and harassment prior to her death. In fact, since 3 years prior to the death of the deceased, she was residing at parents house. It is an admitted fact that the deceased died an a natural death at her parents’ house.
26. It is pertinent note that Sec. 113-B of the Indian evidence
Act deals with presumption as to the dowry death. However, it is a rebuttable presumption. i) In the case on hand, the death of the deceased is a natural death. ii) Soon before the death of the deceased, she was residing at her parents’ house. She has been residing at her parents’ house since 3 months after the marriage. The evidence of PWs1 to 3 does not inspiring to believe their version, that the deceased subjected to cruelty or harassment soon before her death. Though, Pws 1 18 S.C.No.109/2018 to 3 stated in their evidence that the accused harass the deceased over phone, but the Investigating Officer did not collect any call data record or seized mobile numbers either the accused or the deceased.
27. In fact the accused, who examined as DW1 in his evidence stated that the deceased send messages through her mobile, her fathers mobile and her brothers mobile by abusing the accused. Though in his cross examination he admitted that he has not filed any documents to show that the said mobile numbers belongs to the deceased and her father and brother. However in the cross examination of PW1 has clearly admitted his deceased sister using the mobile number 8019229266. He also admitted his father mobile number as 9440443497 and his brother mobile number as 9494995509. PW1 also admitted the accused mobile number is 9885343922.
28. The prosecution also failed to establish that the cruelty or harassment made against the deceased in connection with demand for dowry. Admittedly, no complaint is lodged against the accused regarding the alleged harassment made against the deceased for want of additional dowry prior to her death. The admitted evidence of Pws 1 to 3 is clearly proving the said fact. If at all the deceased was subjected to 19 S.C.No.109/2018 harassment over phone, and demand for additional dowry. Then the father of the deceased ought to have made complaint before the police.
But no such complaints were made against the accused. In fact, the accused issued a legal notice for restitution of conjugal rights. When the deceased failed to reply to said the notice, the accused filed OP No.4 of 2014 on the file of Sr. Civil Judge, Jagtial for divorce.
29. Thus, by seeing the entire evidence on record none of the ingredients of the Offence Sec.304-B are established by the prosecution. In the Judgment of Hon’ble Supreme Court relied by the
Counsel for accused in Sandeep Kumar and Others Vs. State of
Uttharakhand reported in (2020) SCC online SC 918, held that “ Sec. 113-
B of the evidence of Act rescue of the prosecutor by providing for presumption that person caused dowry death, if, it is shown that soon
before her death, she was subjected by such person for cruelty or
harassment for or in connection with demand for dowry.”
30. In the case on hand already discussed in Supra the prosecution failed to establish the necessary ingredients of Sec. 304-B 20 S.C.No.109/2018
IPC. Even the prosecution failed to establish the harassment made against the deceased over phone prior to her death.
31. It is pertinent to note that none of the witness much less Pws 1 to 3 stated that there was a demand of dowry before or at the time of marriage. Even the Investigating officer / PW13 did not enquire either the neighbors of the accused or collected any material evidence that the deceased was subjected to cruelty for demand of additional dowry during her 3 months period, at the house of accused.
32. On the aforesaid discussion and on scrutinizing evidence on record it clearly established that the prosecution failed to prove the necessary ingredients of the offence U/sec. 304-B IPC. Further by the evidence on record the prosecution failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt. Hence, the point 1 and 2 are held accordingly.
33. POINT NO: 2 On the foregoing discussion this court holds that the prosecution measurably failed to prove the guilt of the accused beyond all reasonable doubt for the offence punishable Under Section 304-B I.P.C . Therefore the accused is entitled for benefit doubt and he is entitled to acquittal.
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34. In the result, the accused is found not guilty for the offence punishable under Section Under Section 304-B I.P.C and under
Section 235(1), Cr.P.C. he is acquitted of the said offence. The accused shall be set at liberty and their bail bond shall stand cancelled after six months.
Typed to dictated to the Typist, transcribed by him, corrected and pronounced by me in the open Court on this the 26th day of April, 2022.
II-ADDL. SESSIONS JUDGE,
KARIMNAGAR AT JAGTIAL.
APPENDIX OF EVIDENCE
WITNESES EXAMINED
FOR PROSECUTION: FOR DEFENCE: P.W-1. E. Raj Kumar D.W.1: E. Venugopal P.W-2. E. Shiva Kumar P.W-3. G. Nagalaxmi P.W-4. E.Srinivas P.W-5. M. Ravi P.W-6. M. Narsimhulu P.W-7. K. Harish P.W-8. S. Vajra P.W-9. E. Vijaya P.W-10. T. Narendra P.W-11 Srikanth P.W-12 M. Ashok P.W-13 S. Rajendra Prasad 22 S.C.No.109/2018
EXHIBITS MARKED: FOR PROSECUTION:
Ex.P.1Complaint by PW1. Ex.P.2 Section 161, Cr.P.C. statement of PW.1 Ex.P.3 Inquest Ex.P.4Crime detailed form. Ex.P.5(3) positive Photos Ex.P.6Marriage CD (2 in No.s) Ex.P.7(4) Positive Photos. Ex.P.8Compact Disk Ex.P.9Section 161, Cr.P.C. statement of PW.6 Ex.P.10Section 161, Cr.P.C. statement of PW.7 Ex.P.11 Section 161, Cr.P.C. statement of PW. . Ex.P.12Section 161, Cr.P.C. statement of PW.9 Ex.P.13Requisition to PME by PW10 Ex.P.14PME by PW10. Ex.P.15RFSL Report.. Ex.P.16Final Opinion by PW10. Ex.P.17Requisition – Tahsildar by PW11 Ex.P.18FIR Ex.P.19Letter to RFSL by PW13. Ex.P.20Letter of Advise. Ex.P.21Memo of C.No.50/D4/DCRB dtL 22,4,2017
FOR THE DEFENCE :
Ex.D1CC of Legal Notice. Ex.D2CC of Postal acknowledgement Ex.D3CC of Legal Notice. Ex.D4CC of Chief Examination Ex.D5CC of Legal Notice. Ex.D6 CD (Marked subject to objection)
MATERIAL OBJECTS MARKED
-- Nil --
II-ADDL. SESSIONS JUDGE,
KARIMNAGAR AT JAGTIAL.