JUDGMENT :

ARVIND SINGH CHANDEL, J.

1. This appeal is directed against the judgment dated 12.2.2002 passed by the Special Judge and Additional Sessions Judge, Durg in Sessions Trial No. 147 of 2000, whereby the Appellant has been convicted and sentenced as under:

2. According to the case of prosecution, the Appellant is husband of Mainabai (deceased). Their marriage was solemnised 3 years prior to the incident. After 1 year from the marriage, ill-treatment and cruelty started taking place with Mainabai by her husband/Appellant and her mother-in-law/co-accused Jaiwanbai (acquitted by the Trial Court). 1 week prior to the incident, Mainabai left her matrimonial house and went to her paternal house. There, she narrated the entire alleged incident to her parents. Thereafter, family members of the Appellant brought her back to her matrimonial house. Allegedly, on 6.6.1999, again a dispute took place between the accused p