JUDGMENT

S. A. BOBDE, J.

1. This appeal has been preferred by the appellant against the Judgment of a learned Single Judge of the High Court of Judicature at Andhra Pradesh dismissing his appeal against conviction and sentence under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code [hereinafter referred to as “IPC”] for 7 years Rigorous Imprisonment for causing dowry death of the deceased – Neelima. His mother, his sister and her husband were acquitted of the same charge.

2. The prosecution case is that the appellant was married to Neelima on 12.02.2003. She went to cohabit with him after five months in July 2003 but returned within four days informing her family that the accused used to harass her physically and mentally both for want of Rs. 2,00,000/- as additional dowry. Gandham Anuradha @ Chinni - A3 and Thummala Sreelakshmi – A-4, the sister and brother-in-law of the appellant, took her back for Varalakshmi Viratam. She was again harassed for the same demand. So, the father – PW1, brought her back to his house. At home, the deceased – Neelima, expressed her intention to commit suicide. The father invited the appellant to his house for Diwali on 23.10.2003 but he refused to come. At about 7