JUDGMENT :

Sanjay Kumar Gupta, J.

1. The State has preferred this Criminal Acquittal Appeal against judgment dated 11.07.2009 passed by learned Additional Sessions Judge, Rajouri in case FIR No. 84/1997 of Police Station Budhal, whereby respondents herein stand acquitted of the charges for the offences under Sections 306, 498-A RPC.

2. The case of the prosecution is based on occurrence dated 19.10.1997 when P/S. Budhal received information from reliable source that Mst. Shakuntala Devi D/o. Vijay Singh, R/o. Sakri, who was married with Jagdev Singh S/o. Bachittar Singh caste Rajput, R/o. Siari, Budhal around three years back. After marriage she was being ill-treated by her husband Jagdev Singh, brother in law Karnail Singh, sister in law Lajo Devi and Chatto Devi, all R/o. Siari, they used to taunt and torture her, because of their persistent harassment and torture she was driven to commit suicide on 18.10.1997 by pouring Kerosene oil over herself and thereafter setting herself on fire and because of burning she died.

3. On the basis of this reliable report, case FIR No. 84/97 under section 306 RPC came to be registered and its investigation entrusted to Rashpal Singh IHC who proceeded