A.M. Dhavale, J.

In Sessions Case No. 142 of 2011 of District & Sessions Court, Beed, husband and mother in law of the deceased bride were prosecuted for committing her murder by pouring kerosene on her person and setting her on fire. Mother in law was acquitted and the husband was convicted under Section 302 of the I.P.C. and was sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay fine of Rs. 5000/- in default to suffer further rigorous imprisonment for three months. He was acquitted under Section 498A of I.P.C. Aggrieved by the sentence and conviction, husband Sugriv has preferred this appeal.

2. Facts relevant for deciding this appeal may be stated as follows:

On 20.04.2010, Lilawati Sugriv Kale, aged about 45 years, R/o. Manubai Jawala, Tq. Georai was admitted in Civil Hospital with burn injuries. The Executive Magistrate, Beed was called and her dying declaration was recorded, after taking certificate of Medical Officer that the patients was conscious and oriented. The patient disclosed that she had married to appellant Sugriv about eight years back. It was her s