What effect does a doctor's endorsement of fitness on the application (rather than the dying declaration itself) have on its reliability? Is a dying declaration unreliable if not recorded in question-answer form? Can a second dying declaration form the basis of conviction when it contradicts an earlier dying declaration to police?

Key Points: - Three appellants (mother-in-law, father-in-law, husband) convicted under Section 302 IPC for dowry-related murder by pouring kerosene and setting Parminder Kaur on fire (!) [1000038950001]. - Conviction relied on second dying declaration recorded by SDM (PW7) on 3.5.92; first declaration to police on 30.4.92 claimed accident with no one responsible [1000038950002][1000038950006]. - SDM obtained doctor's endorsement of fitness on the application (not declaration), confirmed victim's condition, recorded narrative in English after Punjabi statement, and took thumb mark [1000038950003][1000038950004]. - No relatives present during recording; initial presence of 3-4 persons cleared, nurse asked to leave; agitation by relatives does not imply pressure on SDM [1000038950004]. - Thumb mark valid despite burns; medical evidence does not preclude it; SDM credible independent witness [1000038950005]. - First declaration not voluntary due to lack of freedom (delayed hospital trip, no parental notification); second more probable and natural [1000038950006]. - Courts below correctly relied on second dying declaration; appeals dismissed [1000038950006] (!) .

What effect does a doctor's endorsement of fitness on the application (rather than the dying declaration itself) have on its reliability?

Is a dying declaration unreliable if not recorded in question-answer form?

Can a second dying declaration form the basis of conviction when it contradicts an earlier dying declaration to police?