JUDGMENT :

1. Present criminal appeal challenges judgment and order dated 26.10.2017 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge (Fast Track Court), Hamirpur, in Sessions Trial No.27 of 2014 whereby the learned Additional Sessions Judge has convicted the accused-appellants, Naresh & Smt. Rajjan for commission of offence under Section 302 of Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short 'IPC') and sentenced them to undergo imprisonment for life with fine of Rs.20,000/-and in case of default in payment of fine, further to undergo two year simple imprisonment.

2. Accused-appellant, Naresh, is in jail since 31.10.2013 and Smt. Rajjan is in jail since 26.10.2017.

3. Heard Sri Raj Kumar Sharma, learned counsel for the accused-appellants and learned A.G.A. for the State.

4. Brief facts as culled out from the record are that the mother of the deceased lodges an F.I.R. on 20.10.2013 at about 9.30 a.m. against the accused-appellants and two other family members which is registered as Case Crime No.940 of 2013 under Sections 498A & 307 of Indian Penal Code and Section 3/4 of Dowry Prohibition Act at P.S. Maudaha, District Hamirpur. In the F.I.R. it is alleged that the daughter of the informant namely Rinki was