JUDGMENT

Dr. S. Muralidhar, CJ. - The present appeal is directed against the judgment dated 7th January, 2000 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Jajpur in S.T. Case No.28 of 1999 whereby the Appellant was convicted for the offence punishable under Section 302 IPC and sentenced to imprisonment for life.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the deceased, Sarathi @ Saria i.e. the wife of the Appellant, and the Appellant got married in 1996. According to the prosecution, at the time of the marriage there was a demand for dowry in the sum of Rs.20,000/- and for ornaments. It is stated that despite the demands being fulfilled, after the marriage the Appellant continued to demand more dowry. Each time when the deceased came to her father's house, she took money being pressurized by the accused. After his father-in-law's death, knowing that the deceased was the only daughter, the accused insisted on his mother-in-law selling away all the properties and coming to live with them. His mother-in-law did not agree.

3. The prosecution's case is that 15 days prior to the death of Saria, the accused sent Saria to bring Rs.5,000/- from her mother. However, the money could not be arranged. The