Deepak Gupta, J.—This judgment shall dispose of two appeals being Criminal Appeal No. 576/2002 and Criminal Appeal No. 693/2002. Accused Bhupinder Singh, his father Baldev Singh and mother Smt.Vandana were all charged under Section 302 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (hereinafter referred to as IPC) for having committed the murder of Sonia wife of Bhupinder Singh at village Saglayana on the night intervening 11.6.2001 and 12.6.2001. In the alternative they were all charged with having harassed and maltreated deceased Sonia on account of demand of dowry and treated her with cruelty and hence committed an offence under Section 498-A IPC. Thirdly all the accused were charged with having committed an offence under Section 304-B IPC as they had treated the deceased Sonia with cruelty on account of demand of dowry soon before her unnatural death on the night intervening 11.6.2001 and 12.6.2001.

2. The learned Sessions Judge, Solan vide his judgment dated 24.7.2002 in Session Trial No. 17-K/7 of 2001 has convicted accused Bhupinder Singh for the offence under Section 498-A IPC and sentenced him to 3 years imprisonment and fine of Rs. 5,000/-. In default of payment of