SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Before :- Doraiswamy Raju and Arijit Pasayat, JJ.
Criminal Appeal No. 825 of 2002
Hira Lal and Ors. Versus State (Govt. of NCT) Delhi, D/d. 25.7.2003
For the Appellants :- Naresh Kaushik, Ms. Shilpa Chauhan, Advocate for Ms. Lalita Kaushik, Advocates.
For the Respondent :- Ashok Bhan, Ms. Varuna Bhandari, Sathis Pillai, Advocate for Mrs. Anil Katiyar, D.S. Mahra, Advocate. A. Indian Penal Code, Sections 304B, 498A, 306 - Dowry Death - Cruelty to Bride - Suicide by bride within seven years of marriage - Charge framed under Section 304B - Prosecution failed to prove charge under Section 304B - Material showed that accused committed an offence under Sections 306 and 498A IPC - Accused acquitted under Section 304B, but convicted under Section 306 and 498A, even though no charge was framed under Section 306 and 498A IPC. 2002(4) RCR(Crl.) 697 (SC) relied on.
[Paras 14 and 15]
B. Indian Penal Code, Sections 304B, 498A, 306 - Cruelty - Dowry Death - Abetment of suicide - Accused charged with offence under Section 304B - Prosecution failed to prove charge - Accused can be convicted under Sections 498A and 306 IPC without framing charge if material showed commission of these offence. 2002(4) RCR(Crl.) 697 (SC) relied on.
[Paras 14, 18]
C. Indian Penal Code, Sections
[Para 11]
D. Indian Penal Code, Sections
[Para 11]
E. Indian Penal Code, Section
[Para 10]
F. Indian Penal Code, Sections 304-B, 498A - Dowry Death - Essential ingredients of offence are as under :-
- (i) The death of a woman should be caused by burns or bodily injury or otherwise than under a normal circumstances.
- (ii) Such a death should have occurred within seven years of her marriage. (iii) She must have been subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband. (iv) Such cruelty or harassment should be for or in connection with demand of dowry. (v) Such cruelty or harassment is shown to have been meted out to the woman soon before her death.
G. Indian Penal Code, Section
[Para 9]
Cases referred :
Akula Ravinder v. State of Andhra Pradesh (AIR 1991 SC 1142) : 1991(3) RCR(Crl.) 642 (SC).Satvir Singh and Ors. v. State of Punjab and Anr. (2001(8) SCC 633) : 2001(4) RCR(Crl.) 355 (SC).
K. Prema S. Rao and Anr. v. Yadav Srinivasa Rao and Ors. (2003(1) SCC 217) : 2002(4) RCR(Crl.) 697 (SC).
JUDGMENT
Arijit Pasayat, J. - Marriage are made in heaven, is an adage. A bride leaves the parental home for the matrimonial home, leaving behind sweet memories therewith a hope that she will see a new world full of love in her groom's house, she leaves behind not only her memories, but also her surname, gotra and maidenhood. She expects not only to be a daughter-in-law, but a daughter in fact. Alas ! The alarming rise in the number of cases involving harassment to the newly wed girls for dowry shatters the dreams. In-laws are characterized to be outlaws for perpetrating a terrorism which destroys matrimonial home. The terrorist is dowry, and it is spreading tentacles in every possible direction.
2. With a view to curb the spiraling number of cases where demand for dowry leads to loss of life, Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act 1986 brought about sweeping changes in the penal statutes, and Sections 304-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short the 'IPC') and Section 113B of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (in short the 'Evidence Act') came to be enforced.
3. One Sarita (hereinafter referred to as 'deceased') committed suicide by consuming poison on 14.4.1999. She was married to accused Surender on 26.11.1995. Other appellants Hiralal and Angoori Devi were her father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively. Since the death was unnatural, information was lodged with police and investigation was undertaken.
4. Grievance was made by the family members of deceased that she was subjected to torture for dowry and that led to her suicide. On completion of investigation, charge-sheet was placed for alleged commission of offence punishable under Section 304-B and 498A IPC. Trial was conducted by learned Sessions Judge, New Delhi in Sessions case No. 11/1999 and the appellants were found guilty under Sections 304-B and 498A read with Section 34 IPC. They were sentenced to undergo RI for 10 years and fine of Rs. 10,000/- each with default stipulation of SI for one year, and also one year RI with fine of Rs. 5000/- with stipulation of SI for one month for the two substantive offences respectively. It is relevant to note that for substantiating the accusations twelve witnesses were examined. Bahadur Singh (PW-1), Sobha Rani (PW-5), Ratti Ram (PW-10), Manju (PW-11), the father, brother, cousin brother and sister, respectively of the deceased spoke about the dowry demands. The testimony was accepted to be truthful and cogent by the Trial Court.
5. The matter was carried in appeal before the Delhi High Court. By the impugned judgment, learned Single Judge reduced the sentence to 3 years RI instead of 10 years RI in respect of accused-appellants Hiralal and Angoori keeping in view their old age. The fine imposed was maintained but the default sentence and fine for offences punishable under Section 498A were maintained. In case of appellant-Surender, the sentence was reduced to 7 years in respect of first offence, while for the second offence the sentence was maintained.
6. In support of the appeal, learned counsel for the appellants submitted that ingredients of Section 304-B and 498A are not made out. There was no evidence regarding any dowry demand. On the contrary it was confirmed that at the time of marriage there was no demand for dowry. It is of relevance to note that while deceased was married to accused-Surender, her sister, Manju (PW-11) was married to Virender, elder brother of Surender. Both the marriages were solemnized on the same date. It has been accepted by the prosecution witnesses that there was no demand for valuable articles at any point subsequent to the marriage in case of Manju. If the demand was made for deceased as alleged, there is no reason as to why a departure was made in case of her sister. The evidence of relatives (PW-1, PW-2, PW-10 and PW11) does not inspire any confidence. Before the alleged suicide, there were differences between the deceased and her husband for which allegations were made with the police. Finally the difference was sorted out by settling that they shall stay separately from other members of the family. There was a conciliation made by the officials and the conditions indicated related to separate residence. There was not even inkling about demand of money or articles. This has been categorically accepted by both PWs 10 and 11. It is, therefore, submitted that both Trial Court and the High Court fell in grave error by going into surmises to convict the appellants.
7. In response learned counsel for the State-Govt. of NCT of Delhi, submitted that the ingredients of the offences have been clearly made out. In any event the case can be considered in terms of Section 306 IPC.
8. Section 304-B IPC deals with dowry death reads as follows :
- "304-B. Dowry Death - (1) Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of her marriage and it is 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, such death shall be called "dowry death" and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death.
- Explanation - For the purpose of this sub-section 'dowry' shall have same meaning as in Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961).
- (2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with prisonment for a terms which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life."
- (i) The death of a woman should be caused by burns or bodily injury or otherwise than under a normal circumstances.
- (ii) Such a death should have occurred within seven years of her marriage.
- (iii) She must have been subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband.
- (iv) Such cruelty of harassment should be for or in connection with demand of dowry.
- (v) Such cruelty or harassment is shown to have been meted out to the woman soon before her death.
- "113-B : Presumption as to dowry death - When the question is whether a person has committed the dowry death of a woman and it is shown that soon before her death such woman has been subjected by 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.
- Explanation - For the purposes of this section 'dowry death' shall have the same meaning as in Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)."
- (1) The question before the Court must be whether the accused has committed the dowry death of a woman. (This means that the presumption can be raised only if the accused is being tried for the offence under Section 304-B IPC).
- (2) The woman was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives.
- (3) Such cruelty or harassment was for, or in connection with, any demand for dowry.
- (4) Such cruelty or harassment was soon before her death.
10. The evidence of PWs 1, 5, 10 and 11 shows that at the time of marriage there was no demand for dowry. But subsequently, the demands were made, and ill-treatments were meted out. The crucial question is whether they were soon before the death. PWs 10 and 11 stated that grievances were made before the Crime against Women Cell and the authorities brought about reconciliation. It however was candidly admitted that there was no mention about any dowry aspect while the differences were ironed out. The settlement arrived at on 30.11.1998 was essentially for separate residence. Therefore, there is no definite evidence about ill-treatment to the deceased at any time having immediate proximity to the date of death of the deceased on 14.4.1999 about ill- treatment by the accused persons to attach culpability under Section 304-B IPC. Therefore, the basic requirement of cruelty or harassment soon before the death to bring application of Section 304-B is absent.
11. Further question is whether a case under Section 498-A has been made out, even if accusations under Section 304-B fail. Section 498-A reads as follows :
- "498-A : Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty - Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
- Explanation - For the purpose of this section 'cruelty' means -
- (a) any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
- (b) harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any persons related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand."
Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (in short 'Dowry Act') defines "dowry" as under :-
- Section 2. Definition of 'dowry' - In this Act, 'dowry' means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly -
- (a) by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or
- (b) by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person.
- at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of the said parties, but does not include dower or mehr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim personal law (Shariat) applies.
- Explanation I - For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any presents made at the time of a marriage to either party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of this section, unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties.
- Explanation II - The expression 'valuable security' has the same meaning in Section 30 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860)."
13. Section 306 IPC deals with abetment of suicide. The said provision reads as follows :
- "306 : Abetment of suicide - If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable to fine."
15. On the facts of the case even though it is difficult to sustain the conviction under Section 304B IPC, there are sufficient materials to convict the accused-appellants in terms of Section 306 IPC along with Section 498A IPC.
16. Custodial sentence of three years for the offence punishable under Section 306 IPC would meet the ends of justice. The sentence awarded for offence punishable under Section 498A by Trial Court and upheld by the High Court is maintained. Both the sentences relatable to Sections 498A and 306 IPC shall run concurrently.
17. It may be noted here that the High Court has reduced the sentence to three years from 10 years in case of accused-appellant Hira Lal and Angoori Devi, while upholding their conviction under Section 304B IPC. It is unfortunate that the High Court failed to notice that the minimum sentence for offence punishable under Section 304B is seven years in terms of sub-section (2) thereof.
18. Since the appellants 1 and 2 were released on bail pursuant to the order 25.10.2002, they shall surrender to serve out the remainder of the sentence, if not already served. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
Appeal dismissed.
Cruelty to Wife - Settlement arrived at with intervention of Women cell - Suicide by bride after 4-1/2 months - Cannot be said that ill treatment to bride was soon before Death - Section 304B will not apply, More details on Geek Upd8, thanks to Advocate Jatinder Kumar, Narayan Dutt - http://g8.geekupd8.com/181
ReplyDeleteThanks for one's marvelous posting! I quite enjoyed reading it, you could be a great author. I will make certain to bookmark your blog and definitely will come back down the road. I want to encourage continue your great work, have a nice afternoon!
ReplyDeletethanks, that was really encouraging
ReplyDelete