Judgment

KHANNA, J.:- Maharaj Krishan Sharma (34) and his mother Shanti Devi (55) were convicted by the Additional Sessions Judge Delhi under Section 302 read with Section 34 Indian Penal Code on the allegation that they caused the death of Shanti Devi alias Prem Lata (25), wife of Maharaj Krishan accused, by forcibly pouring sulphuric acid in her mouth, and were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life. On appeal the Delhi High Court acquitted the two accused by giving them the benefit of doubt. The present appeal was thereafter filed by Bhagwan Kaur, mother of Shanti Devi deceased, by special leave against the acquittal of the two accused respondents.

2. The prosecution case is that Shanti Devi deceased was the daughter of PW 5 Dayal Das, Sub-Inspector CID of Delhi. The deceased was married to Maharaj Krishan accused, who is a science teacher in a Delhi school, on February 20, 1963. The accused, it is stated, did not feel happy with the dowry brought by the deceased. The relations of the deceased with her husband became strained and the deceased complained of ill-treatment by the two accused. On account of the strained relations the deceased on occasions would go to her father s