JUDGMENT

D. Raju, J.-The above appeal has been filed against the decision dated 26.11.1996 of a learned Single Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court in Criminal Appeal No. 180-SB of 1995, whereunder the conviction of the appellants under Section 304-B, IPC, and the sentence of seven years R.I. each, in addition to the payment of fine of Rs. 1,000/- each, came to be affirmed. The case of the prosecution was that the marriage of the deceased Satyawati took place with A-5, Kuldeep, about six years prior to the date of occurrence; that they started living at Rohtak, i.e., at the house of her husband, who himself was living in joint family with his father A-4, Puran Mal, and others; that all the accused started harassing and torturing the deceased for want of more dowry and the manner of torture included even physical beating. About 1-1/2 years after the marriage, the deceased gave birth to a male child and though her paternal side brought certain gifts, the accused were not satisfied both with reference to their quality and quantity and on that also they tortured the deceased Satyawati. On 27.7.1993, about four months before the death of Satyawati, a demand was made for a sum of Rs