Judgment under challenge dated 31st January, 2000 convicts Mahender Kaushik and his mother Rameshwari under Sections 302 read with Section 34 and 498A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC, for short) for having committed murder of Anita, wife of Mahender Kaushik and for having subjected her to cruelty on account of dowry, unlawful demands and harassment. By order on sentence also dated 31st January, 2000, the appellants have been sentenced to imprisonment for life, fine of Rs.10,000/- each and in default to undergo simple imprisonment of one month under Section 302/34 IPC and rigorous imprisonment for three years, fine of Rs.5,000/- each and in default to undergo simple imprisonment of 15 days for the offence under Section 498A/34 IPC.

2. The undisputed and accepted position is that deceased Anita and the appellant-Mahender Kaushik had got married on 16th January, 1992 and thereafter, deceased Anita started residing in her matrimonial home at A-27, New Gobindpura, Delhi. Anita and Mahender Kaushik had two children, and Anita was carrying a child in her womb, when she suffered extensive burn injuries on 21st May, 1996 at her aforesaid matrimonial home.