IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI Cr. Appeal (D.B.) No. 250 of 2018 Ajit Kumar Singh @ Ajeet Kumar Singh aged about 34 years, Son of Raj Kumar Singh, R/o Village-Latbedwa (Nawada), P.O.-

Sharmatand, P.S.-Jainagar, District-Koderma … Appellant Versus The State of Jharkhand … … Respondent CORAM: HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE SUJIT NARAYAN PRASAD HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE ARUN KUMAR RAI For the Appellant : Mr. Sabyasanchi, Advocate For the Resp.-State : Mr. Vishwanath Roy, Spl. P.P.

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Order No.12/dated 22^nd January, 2026 Per Sujit Narayan Prasad, J.

I.A.No. 15683 of 2025

1. The instant Interlocutory Application has been filed for suspension of sentence of the appellant in connection with the Judgment of Conviction dated 06.11.2017 and order of sentence dated 08.11.2017 passed in Session Trial Case No. 21 of 2013 arising out of Jainagar P.S. Case No.61of 2012 by the learned Sessions Judge Koderma whereby and whereunder the appellant has been convicted under Section 304B and 498-A of the Indian Penal Code and accordingly, he has been sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for life for the offence under Section 304B IPC and has also been sentenced for 3 years R.I for the offence under Section 498-

A of the IPC.

Factual Matrix

2. Prosecution story as unfolded in the written report (Ext-3) of one Basudeo Singh dated 10.04.2012 is that his daughter Phool Kumari was married with one Ajit Singh about four years ago in accordance with Hindu rites and custom and she was residing at her matrimonial home alongwith her husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law and Dewars Vinay Kumar Singh and Aditya Singh.

3. Since the solemnization of marriage after few days, above accused persons raised additional demand of dowry of Rs.50,000/- (fifty thousand) from the daughter of informant and started assaulting and harassing her. They were also threatening to kill her if the aforesaid demand is not fulfilled. Upon receiving information from his daughter, the informant gave Rs.30,000/- (thirty thousand) to the accused persons but they did not mend their conduct and behaviour towards the daughter of informant, then domestic panchayat was convened. But after few days, again husband and father-in- law put pressure upon the daughter of informant to bring Rs.20,000/- (twenty thousand) from her father otherwise she will be killed.

4. It has further been alleged that she was also assaulted by rod by her husband and father-in-law causing head injuries. Thereafter, Phool Kumari (deceased) disclosed above facts to the informant and again Rs.20,000/- (twenty thousand was paid to Raj Kumar Singh and his wife.

5. It is further alleged that earlier as per direction of Raj Kumar Singh and Ajit Singh Rs.30,000/- (thirty thousand) was deposited in the bank account of Krishna Singh (son-in-law of Raj Kumar Singh). In spite of fulfilment of aforesaid demand, the harassment and torture meted to deceased (daughter of the informant) was not stopped. It is further alleged that on 10.04.2012 at about 12:00 Noon, informant came to know from unknown source that his daughter has been admitted in Holy Family Hospital in serious condition. Thereafter, informant along with his family members went to the Holy Family Hospital and found dead body of his daughter Phool Kumari lying in a Bolero vehicle, and thereafter informant lodge case at Jainagar police station.

Argument of the learned counsel appearing for the appellant:

6. Learned Counsel appearing for the appellant has submitted that the present Interlocutory Application is the sixth attempt for suspension of sentence, since, five earlier Interlocutory Applications have been withdrawn. Although this time the argument has been advanced on merit by taking the following grounds: -

(i) The identically placed convict, namely, Raj Kumar Singh who was the father-in-law of the deceased and father of the present appellant has been allowed to be released on bail after suspension of sentence.

(ii) It has been contended that the case of the present appellant is identi