JUDGMENT :

DEEPAK ROSHAN, J.

1. Heard learned counsel for the parties.

2. This criminal appeal is directed against the judgment of conviction dated 23.06.2003 and order of sentence dated 25.06.2003 passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Xth, Dhanbad in S.T. Case No. 256 of 2001, whereby the appellant has been convicted and sentenced to undergo simple imprisonment for five years for offence punishable under Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code.

3. The prosecution case, as per the Fardbayan dated 23.01.2001, in brief is that marriage of Rita Devi, daughter of the informant, was solemnized with the appellant four years ago from the date the fardbayan was lodged as per Hindu rituals and after marriage the informant had to give monthly maintenance to her daughter as his son-in-law was unemployed. It was further alleged that though the relation between his daughter with his son-in-law was smooth but her daughter had a strained relationship with her mother-in-law. As per the informant, on 23.01.2001, about 1 p.m. his son-in-law came to his quarter and informed him that Rita Devi had hanged herself. The informant, along with his wife went to find the body of her daughter lying on the grou