VIKRAM AGGARWAL, J.

1. This judgment shall decide the above mentioned three criminal appeals, all directed against the judgment of conviction dated 14.10.2013, passed by the learned Addl. Sessions Judge, Patiala vide which the appellants were convicted under Section 306 IPC. Vide order of sentence of even date, the appellants were sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for a period of 04 years alongwith fine of Rs.1,000/- each, in default of payment of which, further rigorous imprisonment for a period of 02 months each was imposed. The accused-appellants are the wife Mohindro Bai, mother-in-law Kaushalaya Bai, sister-in-law (wife's sister) Lali Bai, brothers-in-law (wife's brothers) Paramjit and Ranjit of Bhajan Lal and two other persons namely Binder @ Balwinder Singh and Ram Pal alias Ram Phal.

2. On 07.07.2010, one Bhajan Lal set himself ablaze. He was rushed to PGI, Chandigarh, where his statement was firstly recorded by PW7 Sub Inspector Bhagwan Dass and thereafter by PW8 Ms. Palvinderjit Kaur, posted as Judicial Magistrate Ist Class at the relevant time. In the statement, Bhajan Lal stated that his marriage had been solemnized with Mohindro Bai around 15 years prior to the