JUDGMENT :

B.A. PATIL, J.

The appellant aggrieved by his conviction and sentence in S.C. No. 44/2015 dated 22.04.2016 passed by the learned Principal District & Sessions Judge, Bagalkot (hereinafter referred to as the ‘trial Court’), is before us.

2. We have heard the learned senior counsel Sri S.S. Koti for Sri Srinand A Pachhapure, appearing on behalf of the appellant-accused. We have also heard the learned Additional SPP Sri V.M. Banakar, for the respondent-State.

3. The case in brief as averred by the complainant is that the daughter of the complainant was given in marriage to the accused-appellant, their marriage being performed on 11.04.2013. Thereafter the deceased and the accused started leading matrimonial life in the farmhouse situated in R.S. No. 35/1. Out of the wedlock they have begotten a daughter by name Chi. Srusthi. At that time, the accused was looking after the deceased well and after six months he started subjecting her to physical and mental cruelty, demanding her to bring cash and motorcycle as nothing has been given to him at the time of marriage. The said fact used to be told by the deceased to the complainant over phone. It is further averred in the complaint t