I.A. Ansari, J.

1. Dowry is a social evil. No wonder, therefore, that the Legislature has made stringent laws to deal with the devilish acts of dowry by enacting the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and incorporating, in the Indian Penal Code too, Sections 498A and 304B. Though the menace of dowry still survives, what needs to be borne in mind is that howsoever serious a charge may be against an accused, the offence, alleged to have been committed by him, must be proved in accordance with law. Gravity of an offence cannot make admissible a piece of evidence, which is, otherwise, inadmissible. It is the duty of the court to ensure that every piece of evidence, which it considered against an accused, is admissible in law, for, howsoever grave the charge against the accused may be he can be convicted only when, we must remember, he is proved guilty in accordance with law.

2. By the impugned judgment and order, dated 1.2.1999, passed in Case No. S.T. 117 (WT/A) 96, by the learned Additional Sessions Judge (No. 2), West Tripura, Agartala, the accused-appellant stands convicted under Section 498A of the IPC and sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for two years and fine of Rs.2,000