CAV JUDGMENT

(PER: THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE S.SUNIL DUTT YADAV)

This judgment has been divided into the following Sections to facilitate analysis:

I. BRIEF FACTS The present appeal is preferred by accused Nos. 1 to 3 who have challenged the judgment of conviction and order of sentence passed by the 6^th Additional District and Sessions Judge, Belagavi, in S.C.No.258/2013 dated 12.01.2016, convicting the appellants for the offence punishable under Section 304-B, Section 498-A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 by virtue of which judgment and order of sentence, the accused Nos.1 to 3 were sentenced to undergo imprisonment of 7 years.

2. Brief facts made out by the prosecution are that, accused No.2 is the father and accused No.3 is the mother of accused No.1. The deceased daughter of P.W.1 Kallappa Abu Munje and P.W.2 Tulasavva Kallappa Munje, Lakshmi @ Seema was given in marriage to accused No.1 on 08.11.2011. Their marriage was performed in accordance with a customary practice “Yadi Me Shadi”. At the time of engagement, a memorandum was drawn up showing the properties to be given from the side of the bride to the brideg