Judgment

Uday Umesh Lalit, J.

1. These appeals by Special Leave are directed against the judgment and order dated 7.12.2007 passed by the High Court of Judicature at Bombay, Bench at Nagpur in Crl. Appeal Nos. 255 of 2001 and 306 of 2004.

2. Deceased Sadhana, daughter of PW 5 Narmadabai, was married to respondent Pradip four to five years prior to the date of incident. After marriage, Sadhana was residing with Pradip in the matrimonial home where the other inmates were Parwatabai mother-in-law and respondent Pravin, brother-in-law. After the marriage, Sadhana was subjected to cruelty by Pradip and other in laws and she was constrained to leave her matrimonial home. A report was lodged by Sadhana on the basis of which these three persons were prosecuted. However the dispute was settled and she started co-habiting with Pradip.

3. It is the case of prosecution that in the morning of 6.11.1995, deceased Sadhana suffered burn injuries. Her husband Pradip also suffered burn injuries. Both were rushed to Distt. Hospital, Akola for treatment. One Shelke gave information to police on telephone. PW1 Suryakanta, friend of Sadhana and PW5 Narmadabai, mother of Sadhana visited her separately in the