B. A. ZAIDI, J. - This is a Government Appeal against acquittal filed by the State and a Criminal Revision filed by the complainant, relating to the same incident which are being taken up together for decision. The judgment and Order dated 20-8-2002, was passed by Addl. Sessions Judge, Court No. 1, Ballia, by which he acquitted abovenamed, seven accused for charges under Sections 498-A, 304-B and 201 I.P.C. and Section 3 /4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

2. This is a tragic yet mysterious tale of a lady, who lost her life within 48 hours after dawning her bridal attire. This happened in the Eastern Uttar Pradesh town of Babubel in District Ballia. The bride hailed from Patna. Her marriage was settled with accused Arun Kumar Singh, younger brother of accused Dr. Sita Ram Singh and Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh and the sisters son of accused Raghuvansh Narayan Singh. Accused Smt. Prabha Devi is the wife of accused Dr. Sita Ram Singh while Smt. Jaya Singh and Smt. Savitri Shahi are the married sisters of accused Dr. Sita Ram Singh, Dr. Ashok Kumar Singh and Arun Kumar Singh. The marriage was solemnised at Patna on 22-2-1991 and thereafter the bride was brought to Babubail, to which Dr. Sit