JUDGMENT :

This appeal is directed against the judgment of acquittal rendered by the Court of the I Additional Sessions Judge, Chikkamagaluru, in S.C.No.19/2014 dated 13.01.2016 acquitting the accused of the offences punishable under sections 498-A, 306, 304-B read with section 34 of IPC, 1860 and under sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act. Whereas in this appeal, the appellant/State is seeking intervention of this Court to consider the grounds urged in the appeal and consequently, set aside the acquittal judgment rendered by the trial Court and convict the respondents/accused for the offences alleged against them.

2. Heard learned HCGP Shri Abhijith.K.S. for the appellant/State and so also learned Senior Counsel Shri P.P.Hegde for learned counsel Shri Venkatesh Somareddi who is on record for respondents/accused Nos.1, 2 and 4. So far as the case against respondent No.3/accused No.3 is abated in pursuance of order dated 15.07.2021 in view of the death of accused No.3 during the course of this appeal. Perused the impugned judgment of acquittal rendered by the trial Court in S.C.No.19/2014 dated 13.01.2016.

3. The factual matrix of this appeal are as under:-

It has transpired in the