Sunita Gupta, J.

1. Challenge in this appeal is to the judgment and order on sentence dated 16th October, 1999 and 23rd October, 1999 respectively passed by the learned Additional District and Sessions Judge, Delhi in Sessions Case Nos.161/97 arising out of FIR No.52/96, PS Tilak Nagar whereby the appellants were convicted u/s 304B IPC and were sentenced to undergo imprisonment for life and a fine of Rs.50,000/-each, in default of payment, to further to undergo Simple Imprisonment for 5 years each.

2. Background facts as projected by the prosecution in nutshell are as follows:

3. On 20th January, 1996, on receipt of DD No.15A, PW5 ASI Shekhar Lal along with Constable Umed Singh went to house No. WZ-175, Harijan Colony, Tilak Nagar where he found window of a room broken and the door of the room was locked from inside and saw a lady hanging in the room. After sending a boy through the way of window he got the door of the room opened and found the dead body of Saroj. The dead body was brought on the floor after cutting the chunni with which it was hanging. Information was sent to SDM Mr. Dahia to initiate inquest proceedings. One suicide note was found lying on a table in the room which was seized vide seizure memo Ex.PW2/A in the presence of PW3 Inderjeet and PW2 Dalip. The dead body was sent to mortuary at Sabzi Mandi. When the belongings of the room were searched, at that time father of the deceased Ved Prakash produced one letter allegedly written by the deceased to her parents which was seized vide seizure memo Ex.PW5/A. SDM conducted the inquest proceedings in respect of the dead body. After the post mortem, the dead body was given to the father of the deceased. On 22nd January, 1996, PW14 Sh. K.K. Dahia recorded the statement of Ved Prakash (Ex.PW10/B) and directed SHO PS Tilak Nagar to register the case under the appropriate provision of law and investigate the case according to law. Accordingly, FIR under Section 498A/304B IPC was registered. During the course of investigation, all the accused were arrested. After completing investigation, charge sheet was submitted against them.

4. After hearing arguments on charge, vide order dated 5th August, 1997, charge under Section 304 B IPC was framed against all the accused to which they pleaded not guilty and claimed trial.

5. In order to bring home the guilt of the accused, prosecution, in all, examined 16 witnesses. All the incriminating evidence was put to the accused persons wherein factum of marriage of the deceased Saroj with accused Mahavir on 7th May, 1995 was admitted. It was also admitted that the remaining accused Shri Chand, Chameli and Sarla are father-in-law, mother-in-law and sister-in-law respectively of the deceased. It was also admitted that after marriage, deceased started living with the accused persons at her matrimonial home WZ 175, Harijan Colony, Tilak Nagar, Delhi. It was also admitted that on 20th January, 1996, Saroj committed suicide and on receipt of DD No. 15A, ASI Shekhar Lal along with Constable Umed Singh reached H. No. WZ-175, Harijan Colony, Tilak Nagar, Delhi where they found a lady hanging in the room. The dead body was brought on the floor. A suicide note was found on the table which was seized by the police. However, rest of the case of the prosecution was denied. All the accused pleaded their innocence. It was alleged that the deceased was never harassed nor any dowry was ever demanded nor any cruelty was ever inflicted upon her. It was alleged that she was living happily in the house and was well looked after. She was never beaten. In support of their defence, they examined DW1 Sh.Anand and DW2 Sh.Raghuvir Singh, both of whom are neighbours of the accused and have deposed that the accused persons used to look after and keep the deceased in proper manner and no dowry was ever demanded in their presence.

6. After considering the evidence led by the prosecution, learned Trial Court came to the conclusion that all the essential in