The Appellant has challenged the validity and legality of the Judgment and Order dated 21st July, 1998 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Bhandara in Sessions Trial No. 10 of 1995, whereby the appellant (accused) was found guilty of offence punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code and he was sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for two years and to pay a fine of Rs. 500/-, in default of which to suffer rigorous imprisonment for six months. By the impugned Judgment and Order, the appellant (accused) was however acquitted of the offence punishable under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.

2. Facts briefly stated are as under:-

Deceased Renukabai, who was sister of first informant namely; Manohar Khedikar, had married with appellant (accused) on 30/05/1994, and was residing with her husband. It is the case of prosecution that at the time of marriage, a sum of Rs. 2,000/-, gold ring and a wrist watch were given to the appellant (accused). At the time of Ashadi (the festival when the married woman visits her parents) in 1994, deceased had visited house of first informant namely Manohar Khedikar (brother of deceased). At that time, she conveyed the