Judgment

Dharmadhikari, J.—"Frailty thy name is woman", that is how in one of his plays Shakespeare described one of the female characters in his play. This description is more and more in evidence particularly in rural Indian society where married women, who are unable to muster courage to fight against cruelty and harassment meted out to them by their spouses and family members, find no escape other than ending their own life.

2. The deceased Krishna Kumari, second daughter of PW1 was married to Yadla Srinivasa Rao (hereinafter referred to as accused No. 1), on 26.6.1988. Accused No.1 was employed as Branch Post Master in the village where the spouses lived jointly with the parents of accused No.1.

3. At the time of marriage father of the deceased, who was a teacher, gave a cash dowry of Rupees fifteen thousand and jewels worth fifteen thousand besides gift of five acres of land and a house site in the course of marriage ritual described as "Pasupukumkuma." It is explained that this gift of land was in the nature of 'Stridhana' given to the bride by the father for her maintenance.

4. After three or four months of the marriage accused No.1, husband of the deceased started deman