Jitendra Chauhan, J.

Assailed in the present petition is the judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 26/27.08.2003 (for short, 'the impugned judgment'), passed by the learned Sessions Judge, Kurukshetra (hereafter referred to as 'the trial Court'), thereby, convicting the accused/appellants under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code. Appellant No. 1, Rakesh Kumar has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of ten years, whereas, appellant No. 2, Samjhu Ben has been awarded rigorous imprisonment for a period of seven years.

2. In brief, the facts of the case, as noticed in para No. 2 of the impugned judgment, are as under:-

"The parties are original residents of Gujarat. However, Rara since deceased and her parental family were residing in Pipli, whereas the accused are residing in Lucknow. Marriage of Tara with accused Rakesh Kumar was solemnized 3-4 months before her death. After marriage Tara resided with her husband and in-laws in Lucknow. Accused Rakesh Kumar left her at her parental home in Pipli on 28.7.2002 saying that she should come back with money, failing which he would divorce her. Earlier also both the accused had been beating T