In this appeal filed under Sec.374(2) Cr.P.C by accused Nos.1, 2 and 4 in Sessions Case No.150 of 1998 on the file of the Court of the Sessions Judge, Wayanad at Kalpetta, they challenge the conviction entered and the sentence passed against them for an offence punishable under Section 498A I.P.C. The 3rd accused was acquitted by the Court below of all the charges levelled against her.

2. The case of the prosecution can be summarised as follows:-

The marriage between Sunitha aged 18 years and Suresh Kumar (the first accused) aged 23 years was on 9-2-1996. While Sunitha was residing in her matrimonial home at Kaniyampatta in Vythiri Taluk of Wayanad District, on account of the harassment and ill-treatment meeted out to her by A1 to A4 namely, husband, mother-in-law and two sisters-in-law of Sunitha in connection with their demand for further dowry, Sunitha committed suicide at about 4 p.m. on 26.4.1996 by consuming poison. The accused persons have thereby committed offences punishable under Sections 498A and 304B read with Sec. 34 I.P.C.

3. On the accused persons pleading not guilty to the charge framed against them by the court below for the aforementioned offences the pr