JUDGMENT

B.P. Singh, J.-This appeal by special leave is directed against the judgment and order of the High Court of Judicature at Andhra Pradesh at Hyderabad dated November 22, 1996 in Criminal Revision Case No. 195 of 1995 whereby the High Court while partly allowing the appeal and acquitting the appellant of the charge under Section 306 I.P.C, confirmed his conviction and sentence under Section 498-A I.P.C. on which count the appellant has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for three years and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/-.

2. The appellant Lella Srinivas Rao and his mother Lella Gangamamba were tried by the Assistant Sessions Judge, Chirala charged of the offences under Sections 498-A and 306 I.P.C. The case of the prosecution was that the appellant herein was married to the deceased Bhavani about three years before the date of occurrence which took place on 15.8.1990. The case of the prosecution was that the appellant as well as his mother (accused No.2) treated Bhavani (deceased) with such cruelty, and harassed her to such an extent, that she was forced to commit suicide at about 12.45 p.m. on 15.8.1990. She set fire to herself as well as her daughter who was about 1