JUDGMENT :

C. Praveen Kumar, J.

1. Assailing the conviction and sentences imposed for the offences punishable under Sections 498A and 302 of Indian Penal Code [‘I.P.C.’], Accused No. 1 in Sessions Case No. 341 of 2014 on the file of III Additional Sessions Judge, Kurnool at Nandyal, the first Accused preferred the present appeal.

2. The gravamen of the charge against the accused is that, A1 along with A2 and A3 caused the death of one Bontha Sulochana [‘Deceased’] on 19.07.2013 at Rudravaram Village, by setting her on fire.

3. The facts, which lead to filing of the appeal, are as under :

i. PW1 is the father of the deceased. A1 is the husband while A2 and A3 are parents-in-law of the deceased.

ii. The marriage of A1 with the deceased was performed about 10 years prior to the date of giving evidence. At the time of marriage, a sum of Rs.60,000/- and seven tulas of gold was given as dowry. Both of them lived happily for a period of two years and, thereafter, A1 who got addicted to alcohol, used to beat the deceased everyday. Further, A1 to A3 used to harass the deceased for additional dowry, which acts of harassment were being informed to PW1 on phone. It is said that, PW1 used to send pro