JUDGMENT

VENKATA JYOTHIRMAI PRATAPA,J. - Impugning the judgment of conviction and sentence dtd. 16/2/2016 in S.C. No.163 of 2014 on the file of Family Courtcum-III Additional District and Sessions Judge, Vizianagaram, the present Criminal Appeal is filed.

2. The gravamen of the charges framed against the accused are under Ss. 498-A, 306, 304-B, 302 of Indian Penal Code (for short 'I.P.C.') and Ss. 3 & 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act (for short 'D.P. Act').

3. Accused No.1 (A-1) is the husband of the deceased. Accused No.2 (A-2) is the mother of A-1. After full-fledged trial, the learned trialJudge found A1 i.e., the appellant herein, guilty for the charge under Sec. 304-B of I.P.C. Accordingly, he was sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay fine of Rs.2000.00 and in default, to suffer simple imprisonment for a period of two months.

4. As A-1 was convicted for the offence punishable under Sec. 304-B of IPC, it is necessary to look into the charge against him.

"On 3/5/2014 at about 10.19 P.M., A1 being the husband of the deceased caused death of the deceased - Ponnada @ Tholeti Sowjanya within seven (7) years of her marriage, subjecting her to cruelt