Judgment

JAGANNATHA SHETTY, J.:- This is an appeal under Art. 134(1)(a) of the Constitution from a Judgment of the Rajasthan High Court given on 20 November, 1985. Lichhamadevi the appellant was tried for an offence under S. 302, IPC for the murder of her daughter-in-law. She was acquitted by the Sessions Judge, Jaipur city. Upon appeal by the State, the High Court reversed the order of acquittal and sentenced her to death.

2. The prosecution story of the case may now be briefly stated : Pushpa was the daughter of Sita Ram (PW 9). She was married to Jagdish Prasad. On 29 January, 1977, she was found with flames in the kitchen. Upon hearing her pathetic cries, the neighbours rushed, but not her relatives in the house. The neighbours took her to the hospital where she died the next day. It is said that the relations between Pushpa and her mother-in-law (the appellant) had become strained on account of unsatisfied dowry demand. Overbearing mother-in-law appears to be the master of the house. She used to harass Pushpa quite often. To avoid harassment, Pushpa left her husbands house and remained with her parents. About 4-5 days before the incident she returned to her in-laws house. On 29