(Judgment of the Court was delivered by G.R.SWAMINATHAN, J.)

These appeals are directed against the judgment dated 29.01.2021 made in S.C.No.203 of 2016 on the file of Fast Track Mahila Court, Nagercoil. These appeals have been preferred both by the defacto complainant as well as the State.

2.The case of the prosecution is as follows:

Caroline Viola Bel was the daughter of the defacto complainant / Jam Raj. Her marriage with Nirmal Jayachandran / A1 was solemnized on 19.02.2007 as per Christian rites and customs. A2 and A3 are the parents of A1. Through the wedlock, two children were born. The accused subjected the deceased to cruelty and demanded additional dowry. On 20.06.2015, A2 and A3 snatched the gold chain from the deceased. At that time, the first accused hit the deceased with an iron rod. Caroline Viola Bel was rushed to Issac Hospital, Marthandam for first aid. She was thereafter shifted to Nims Hospital, Neyyattinkarai for further treatment. Caroline Viola Bel passed away on 24.06.2015. Thereafter, Ex.P1 complaint dated 24.06.2015 was lodged by Jam Raj / father of the deceased before the Inspector of Police, Marthandam Police Station. Crime No.413 of 2015 was registered for