1. Appellant, his mother Gangaubai (accused no. 2), brother Balasaheb (accused No. 3) and sister inlaw Vandana (accused No. 4) were tried for the offences punishable under S.302, S.304B, S.498A read with S.34 of the Indian Penal Code (in short "the IPC"). Appellant is convicted of these offences. For the first offence he is sentenced to suffer imprisonment for life and to pay a fine of Rs. 1000/-. For the second offence, appellant is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for 10 years and, for the third offence, he is sentenced to suffer rigorous imprisonment for one year and to pay fine of Rs. 500/-. Sentence of fine carries default stipulation for non payment. Accused Nos. 2, 3 and 4 are acquitted of all the offences.

2. Facts of the prosecution case lie in a narrow compass. Rekha (since deceased) was daughter of Maroti Madhaorao Kadam of village Kohali, Paluda Hadgaon. She married appellant who is native of village Hastara, in the year 1998. At the time of marriage, her father had given Rs. 40,000 - / and other articles as per agreement between the parties. For first two years, the deceased was nicely treated. During this period, Vaishnavi was born. About two years prior to