J U D G M E N T

Abhay Manohar Sapre, J.

1. This Criminal Appeal is filed by the accused, Hari Om (A-1), against the judgment and order dated 14.05.2010 passed by the High Court of Punjab and Haryana at Chandigarh in Criminal Appeal no. 190-DB of 2004, which in turn, arises out of judgment dated 31.01.2004/04.02.2004 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Jind in Session Case no. 57/23.12.2002 and Session Trial No. 5 of 13.02.2003.

2. By impugned judgment, the High Court dismissed the appeal filed by the appellant (A-1) and upheld his conviction and sentence for the offences punishable under Sections 304-B and 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short “IPC”) and allowed the appeals filed by the co-accused namely, Subhash, Dharam Pal, Ram Chander and Chander Kala (A-2 to A-5) and set aside their conviction and sentence.

3. So far as this appeal is concerned, we are only concerned with the conviction and sentence awarded to the appellant - Hari Om (A-1).

4. Facts necessary for the disposal of this appeal need to be mentioned in brief.

5. As per the prosecution case, Poonam -a young girl having post-graduate degree to her credit, was married to A-1 on 04.07.2002. At the relevant