( 1 ) ON the basis of a charge-sheet filed by the C. O. D. , the learned Sessions Judge had framed charges under Sections 498a, 306 and 304b of the I. P. C. against the husband, father-in-law and mother-in-law of one Shashikala who died on 7-11-1987 by committing suicide in the house of the accused persons. The first accused is the husband, the second and third accused are the father-in-law and mother-in-law of deceased Shashikala.

( 2 ) THE prosecution case in brief is to the following effect. The deceased was the daughter of one T. B. Mruthyunjaya who was working as an executive engineer in Madhya Pradesh. A proposal for the marriage of Shashikala with the first accused, who is a doctor, came from the aunt of the deceased. In about December, 1982 the girl was taken to the house of the accused and at that time A2 and A3 demanded dowry of Rs. 25,000/- as also gold ornaments of 45 sovereign and other household articles. They also wanted the marriage to be performed at the cost of the bride's father. The parents of the deceased after negotiations agreed to give the dowry sought for by A2 and A3. By the end of January, 1983 betrothal was performed in the house of Brid