JUDGMENT

THAKKAR, J.:— Suicide is excluded concludes the trial court. Suicide is not excluded says the High Court. This is in the context of the tragic, unnatural death of a wife (Veena; A First Class First M.Sc. in Botany from Patna) by burning on the night between 11-12th Sept. 1984, within barely nine months of her marriage with a doctor husband. The husband and his sister viz. Dr. Narendra and Meera respectively were convicted by the trial court for the murder of the wife under S. 302 read with S. 34 of Indian Penal Code. The husband was sentenced to death, The sister was sentenced to imprisonment for life. They appealed The High Court has set aside the order of conviction and sentence as against both holding that suicide cannot be excluded. These companion appeals, by the father of the wife and by the State, arise from the said order of acquittal. The death of Veena occurred in the kitchen of the two bed room flat of the husband of which he with his wife and his sister Meera were the only occupants at about 4.00 a.m. At 7.00 am. the milkman repeatedly knocked as the ringing of the call bell did not evoke any response. Meera opened the door. Smoke was seen coming out and the de