JUDGMENT :

This is an appeal filed by the accused questioning the legality and correctness of the judgment of conviction and sentence dated 6.07.2017 passed by the learned I Additional District and Sessions Judge, Bagalkot, sitting at Jamakhandi, in Sessions Case No.69 of 2016 wherein the accused is convicted for the of fences punishable under Section 498A and 306 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as the ‘IPC’ for brevity) and sentenced to undergo imprisonment for three years and to pay fine of Rs.10,000/- in default to undergo imprisonment for 1 year for the of fence under Section 498A of IPC and to undergo imprisonment for a period of ten years and to pay fine of Rs.10,000/- in default to undergo imprisonment for 1 year for the of fence punishable under Section 306 IPC.

2. The learned counsel for the appellant submitted that none of the witnesses examined by the prosecution were cross-examined by the accused. No sufficient opportunity has been provided to the accused. Counsel for the accused has sought to retire from the case. Therefore, he did not appear in the proceedings. The trial Court has not appointed any standing counsel to defend the accused. Therefore, suf