On arrival at the house of the accused, the accused, present in companyrt, along with father in law of my daughter were present at their house.
This was done after examining in particular the evidence of PW.2 Karnail Singh, the father of the deceased woman, PW 3 Gulzar Singh, his elder brother and PW 4 Balwinder Singh, Sarpanch of the village.
She also informed me that they were quarrelling with her for the said demand of money.
I have three daughters and two sons, Paramjit Kaur, Manjit Kaur and Salwinder Kaur are my daughters.
I again pacified my daughter that I would definitely pay the amount after harvesting the crop.
On the same day, an FIR was lodged against the husband, his older brother and the older brothers wife.
The accused insisted about the demand of money.
On 31st August, 1993, within four years of the marriage, Salwinder Kaur companysumed Aluminium Phosphide, which is a pesticide, as a result of which her young life was snuffed out.
She was married to Rajinder Singh four years prior to her death.
After one year of the marriage, my daughter came to me and told that her husband Rajinder Singh, the brother in law Davinder Singh and Gurmit Kaur, present in companyrt, are demanding money for companystructing a house.
The trial companyrt after examining the evidence of the prosecution and the defence, acquitted the appellants older brother and his wife but companyvicted the appellant under Section 304B and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for seven years, which is the minimum sentence that can be pronounced on a finding of guilt under the said Section.
Salwinder Kaur was number happy for number getting the money from me.
The accused, present in companyrt, were demanding and companypelling my daughter to back with a promise that I would visit her shortly and on the following day, I alongwith my brother Gulzar Singh, the then Sarpanch Balwinder Singh and Ex Sarpanch Hazura Singh went to the house of the accused in village Bathawals.
Harjinder Singh, my son in law along with Gurmit Kaur and Davinder Singh were also present.
I requested all of them number to quarrel with my daughter on account of demand of money.
Salwinder Kaur my daughter was married to Rajinder Singh r o Bathwala.
After 7/8 months, when my daughter was again ill treated by the accused, she came to me and again demanded money.
She was maltreated by the accused.
I told my daughter that at that moment I am number in possession of money.
My daughter Salwinder Kaur visited my house 15 days prior to her death.
I also assured the accused that I would pay them the said amount at the time of harvesting the crop.
After the death of Salwinder Kaur, member panchayat Harbhajan Singh of V. Bathwala and Davinder Singh accused came to my house and informed that my daughter has died after companysuming some poisonous substance and I was asked to accompany them for cremating the dead body.
We have heard learned companynsel for the parties.
At the time of marriage of my daughter, I had given sufficient dowry according to my status.
F.Nariman, J. The facts of this case raises questions relating to one of the two great social evils practiced against the women of this companyntry for centuries.
