JUDGMENT

Y.K. Sabharwal, J.-These appeals by special leave challenge the judgment of the High Court by which the conviction of the appellants for offence under Section 201 of the Indian Penal Code has been upheld.

2. The appellants in Criminal Appeal No. 151 of 1997 are family members of Baldev Singh. Appellant Nos. 3 and 5 are brothers of Baldev Singh and appellant No.4 is wife of appellant No.3 whereas appellant No.6 is wife of appellant No.5. Appellant No.7 is sister of Baldev Singh. Baldev Singh is son of appellant No.2 who has since died and, therefore, the appeal in so far as the said appellant is concerned has abetted. The sole appellant, Harjap Singh, in Criminal Appellant No. 227 is family friend of Baldev Singh.

3. The case of the prosecution in brief is as under:

Baldev Singh was married with Manmohan Kaur in the year 1979. It is alleged that Baldev Singh was harassing Manmohan Kaur for not bringing sufficient amount of dowry. She visited house of her father in village Nangal Thindal on 21st June, 1985 and told him that a demand of Rs. 30,000/- was still continuing from her husband and she has been told to return to her husband s house only with the said amount and in case t