Kaur. My daughter Kuljit Kaur had passed B.A.B.P.Ed last year. About 4½ months back, my daughter Kuljit Kaur was married to Jagtinder Singh alias Pappu son of Ajit Singh, caste Jat, resident of Khanpur Chowk, Pathankot, according to religious rites and customs. At the time of her marriage, I had given dowry more than my financial capacity and just after their marriage, my son-in-law Jagtinder Singh and his sister Narinder Kaur started demanding more dowry from my daughter. About two months back my daughter Kuljit Kaur told us on telephone that, my husband Jagtinder Singh and my ‘Nanand’ (husband’s sister) Narinder Kaur are demanding a motor cycle ‘Hero Honda’ and other dowry articles and daily taunt me, you should arrange motor cycle and other dowry articles from them. Next day, I alongwith mediator Kashmir Singh resident of Peeran Abadi Ladho Chanck (New colony) went to the in-laws’ house of my daughter at village Khanpur. I and Kashmir Singh mediator tried our best to make Jagtinder Singh and his sister Narinder Kaur to understand that I am a poor man, I cannot give more dowry, but they did not pay attention to our request and remained struck to their demand of motor cycle. When they did not pay any attention to our request then I and Kashmir Singh brought our daughter to our house. Then after 15 days I and Kashmir Singh after taking with us Kuljit Kaur went to her In-laws’ house at Khanpur and requested our son-in-law and his sister Narinder Kaur that I am a poor man, I will arrange for a motor cycle and will give it to you, and after requesting them left my daughter in her in laws’ house. About 4/5 days back, my son-in-law came to our house at village Dhira and told us that, I have executed an agreement for the purchase of a plot near Khanpur Chowk, you should give me Rs. One Lac for its purchase. I again said to him I am a poor person, I can not give so much amount, but will help you as per my capacity. Today, I alongwith Balbir Singh son of Chaju Ram caste Mehra, resident of village Dhira Jattan went to see my daughter Kuljit Kaur and reached in her-in-laws house at Khanpur Chowk, Pathankot, at about 8' o, clock. When I alongwith Balbir Singh went up stairs, the door of the room was closed and I heard the shrieks. When I opened the door and entered in the room, at that time Narinder Kaur had caught hold both the legs of my daughter Kuljit Kaur and my son-in- law Jagtinder Singh had put a rope on her neck, on the bed, and was pulling it in the backward direction and on seeing us entering in the room, they after opening the inner door of the room ran away through the door of the adjoining room. I touched my daughter Kuljit Kaur and found her dead. My son-in-law Jagtinder Singh and his sister Narinder Kaur with their common intention have killed my daughter by putting a rope on her nack and by pressing her neck with it. After leaving Balbir Singh to guard the deed body, I was going to lodge the report that you have met me. Action be taken against the above said accused.

Attested. Ajit Singh aforesaid Sd/- Varinder Singh, SI SHO Sd/- In English P.S. Sadar Pathankot, 12.2.2001. ”

3. After recording of the statement (Exhibit PF) by SI Varinder Singh, PW-10, the FIR (Exhibit PF/2) was recorded by the police. Thereafter, the Investigating Officer, along with other police officials, reached the spot and also prepared the inquest report (Exhibit PE) and the dead body was sent for post-mortem examination by the doctors of the Civil Hospital, Pathankot. The post-mortem was conducted by Dr. Bhupinder Singh Kanwar along with two other doctors and the post-mortem report (Exhibit PC) was prepared. After post-mortem examination, the investigation was conducted by the police and the statements of various witnesses, acquainted with the facts of the case, were also recorded and the final report of investigation was presented before the Area Magistrate. Since the case was exclusively triable by the Court of Sessions, it was committed and afte