1. This appeal is directed against judgment dated 9-8-2004 passed by 1st Additional Sessions Judge, Rajnandgaon in Sessions Trial No. 26/2002. By the impugned judgment, accused/appellant Ajay has been convicted under Section 307 of the Indian Penal Code and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 7 years and to pay fine of Rs. 3,000/-, in default of payment of fine, to further undergo rigorous imprisonment for 1 year and co-accused persons Vinay Kumar, Smt. Rama Bhattacharya, Vilas alias Debu and Kumari Gauri have been acquitted of the charges framed against them.

2. Case of the prosecution, in brief, is as under:-

Marriage of Smt. Shikha Bhattacharya (PW-4) was solemnized with the appellant on 26-6-2000. After the marriage, Smt. Shikha Bhattacharya (PW-4) was residing with her husband (the appellant), father-in-law and mother-in-law in her matrimonial house. Acquitted co-accused Vinay Kumar is father-in-law, Smt. Rama Bhattacharya is mother-in-law, Vilas alias Debu is Dewar (brother-in-law) and Kumari Gauri is Nanad (sister-in-law) of Smt. Shikha Bhattacharya (PW-4). Sufficient dowry was given in the marriage by S.N. Goswami (PW-2, father of Smt. Shikha Bhattacharya).