IN THE HIGH COURT OF ANDHRA PRADESH AT AMARAVATI
V.R.K. KRUPA SAGAR, J.
Kurapati Vimala Voctoria – Petitioner
Versus
S. Kiran Sathya Raj and Others - Respondents
Criminal Revision Case No.461 of 2009
Decided On : 17-03-2023
Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 - Section 397, 401, 161, 156(3), 313 - Acquittal - Criminal Revision - Cruelty and dowry harassment - Whether demand proved - Held, evidence of Pws.1 to 3 is to the effect that the accused were demanding additional dowry to set right the lives of their own sisters. Dealing with this aspect of the matter, the learned Magistrate observed that in the cross examination of Pw.1, she admitted that the sisters of her husband were financially very sound and they were well settled. It was in that context, the learned Magistrate said that, when the lives of sisters of accused did not indicate any need for money it was highly improbable to believe that accused demanded Pw.1 to get money for bettering the lives of sisters of accused -Criminal Revision Case dismissed.
ORDER:
1. A victim-cum-defacto-complainant filed this Criminal Revision under Section 397 and 401 Cr.P.C. seeking to set-aside the judgment dated 12.12.2008 of learned Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Pakala in C.C.No.09 of 2007 whereunder the accused/Respondent Nos.1 and 2 were acquitted.
2. The revision petitioner was employed as physical education teacher. She got married to Respondent No.1. Respondent No.1 was a teacher in Vijaya English Medium School. Respondent No.2 was District Audit Officer and he was elder brother of Respondent No.1. The marriage between revision petitioner and Respondent No.1 was solemnized on 11.02.2004 according to Christian rites since they belonged to religion of Christianity. Alleging cruelty and dowry harassment, she lodged a complaint before learned Magistrate on 27.10.2006. That was forwarded to police under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C. Thereupon, Cr.No.94/2006 was registered. After due investigation the Sub Inspector of Police, Pakala Police Station filed charge sheet. Cognizance was taken by the learned Magistrate and after securing the presence of A1 and A2, furnished them copies of documents. After due hearing and perusal of the record, the learned Magistrate framed charges under Sections.498-A, 323, 509 IPC read with Section 34 IPC and under Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act. The charges were read over and explained to the accused. They pleaded not guilty. At the trial, the victim woman testified as Pw.1 and her brother testified as Pw.2 and her sister testified as Pw.3. Two neighbours to the matrimonial home testified as Pw.4 and Pw.5. The investigating officers testified as Pw.6 and Pw.7. The complaint that was lodged by victim is Ex.P1 and the F.I.R. issued in terms of it is Ex.P4. Ex.P5 is rough sketch of the scene of offence. Certain parts of Section 161 Cr.P.C. statements which were confronted to Pw.3 and Pw.4 when they were questioned in the nature of cross-examination by the learned Additional Public Prosecutor were marked as Ex.P2 and Ex.P3. Savings Bank Account copy pertaining to Pw.2 is Ex.P6. A photostat copy of written complaint dated 17.10.2006 of Pw.1 was exhibited as D1 by the defence. The incriminating material available on record was offered to the accused under Section 313 Cr.P.C. where the accused stated that it was all a false evidence. After hearing arguments on both sides and on perusal of the evidence on record, the learned Magistrate by the impugned judgment found that there was no believable evidence led by the prosecution and the evidence on record was showing facts that were improbable in their nature and found various discrepancies in the evidence of prosecution witnesses with reference to place where the alleged offence took place and the learned Magistrate further stated that the evidence concerning demand for dowry was bald and vague as it neither specifies the amount that was demanded nor it specified the dates on which such demands were made. With reference to physical cruelty as against Pw.1 and also her brother Pw.2, the learned Magistrate pointed out total absence of medical evidence. Considering the evidence on record and the probabilities, the learned Magistrate found both the accused not guilty and acquitted them on all the charges. It is that judgment of the learned Magistrate against which no appeal was preferred by the State. However, the victim-cum-defacto-complainant chose to prefer this revision and calls in question the correctness of the impugned judgment. In the memorandum of grounds of revision, it is stated that the evidence of Pws.1 to 3 is consistent and their evidence certainly proved the guilt of the accused and findings of the trial Court on all aspects is erroneous and is against facts on record and therefore the impugned judgment shall be set-aside.
3. Though this Criminal Revision Petition is filed way back in the year 2009 on most of the occasions there was no representation for revision petitioner. On 09.03.2023, 15.03.2023 and 16
The court acquitted the accused due to insufficient evidence establishing dowry demands and related charges, highlighting the need for clarity and consistency in testimonies.
The conviction under IPC Section 498-A for cruelty does not require evidence of dowry harassment, as demonstrated by the victim's accounts of domestic abuse and intimidation.
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