1. The appellant is challenging the judgment and order dated 31-7-2004 passed by the learned Ad hoc Additional Sessions Judge, Washim in Session Trial 97/2002, by and under which the appellant is convicted for offence punishable under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (“IPC” for short) and is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and to payment of fine of Rs.500/- and is further convicted for offence punishable under Section 304B of the IPC and is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for five years and to payment of fine of Rs.1,000/-. The father and mother of the accused Natthuji Parashram Bhandare and Sau. Shantabai Natthuji Bhandare who were arrayed as accused 2 and 3 in the trial are acquitted.

2. Concededly, Babita whose marriage with the accused was solemnized in 1997 expired on 17-5-2002 due to consumption of poison. The mother of the deceased Smt. Shakuntalabai (P.W.1) lodged oral report on 24-5-2002 (Exhibit 25) at Police Station Manora alleging that Babita was subjected to mental and physical harassment in order to coerce her to satisfy dowry demand of Rs.20,000/-. P.W.1 states in the report that Rs.5,000/- was given to Babita on two sep