Since both these appeals have been filed against the common impugned judgment, therefore, they are being decided by this common judgment.

1. Appellants have preferred both the Criminal Appeals under Section 374 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (in short “ Cr.P.C .”) against the impugned judgment of conviction and order of sentence dated 27.11.2015 passed by the 3rd ASJ, Dewas (M.P.) in S.T. No.181/2013. The appellants have been convicted and sentenced as under:-

Name of the appellant Conviction u/S Sentence Fine amount Imprisonment in lieu of payment of fine.

Nandkishore 498-A IPC 3 years R.I. Rs.5,000/- 3 months R.I. Vikas 498-A IPC 3 years R.I. Rs.5,000/- 3 months R.I. 302 IPC Life Imprisonment Rs.10,000/- 1 year R.I. Sarita 498-A IPC 3 years R.I. Rs.5,000/- 3 months R.I. 302 IPC Life Imprisonment Rs.10,000/- 1 year R.I.

2. The prosecution story, in brief, is that marriage of the appellant Vikas was solemnized with Swati (deceased) on 21.4.2008 in the group marriage ceremony (lEesyu) in presence of all the relatives of both the sides. After 2-3 months deceased was harassed by her husband, mother- in-law, father-in-law and sisters-in-law for bringing less dowry. She