Supreme Court of India
RAM BADAN SHARMAversusSTATE OF BIHAR
- Citation
- 2006 INSC 528
- Decided
- 21 August 2006
- Disposal
- Dismissed
- Bench
- S B SINHA
Holding
The Supreme Court affirmed the convictions, holding that the prosecution established dowry demand, harassment, and death within seven years, thereby invoking the presumption of dowry death under Section 113‑B and justifying conviction under Sections 304‑B and 201 IPC.
Summary
The Supreme Court examined the case of Ram Badan Sharma and his father-in‑law, who were accused of killing their daughter‑in‑law Sanju Kumari by poisoning her after persistent demands for a colour TV, a motorcycle and cash. The prosecution proved that the accused repeatedly demanded dowry, harassed and beat the victim, and that she died within seven years of marriage under unnatural circumstances after being given poisoned "prasad". The accused clandestinely cremated the body, concealing evidence, thereby attracting Section 201 IPC. The Court held that the three ingredients of Section 304‑B IPC—dowry demand and harassment, death, and death within seven years—were established, invoking the presumption of dowry death under Section 113‑B of the Evidence Act. Consequently, the convictions under Sections 304‑B and 201 IPC were upheld and the appeals dismissed.
Issues considered
- Whether the prosecution proved the existence of dowry demands by the accused
- Whether the death of the deceased was caused by harassment and cruelty in connection with dowry demands
- Whether the death occurred within seven years of the marriage, satisfying the requirement of Section 304‑B IPC
- Whether the presumption under Section 113‑B of the Evidence Act applies
Legislation cited
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961s. 2
- Indian Evidence Act, 1872s. 113-B
- Indian Penal Code, 1860s. 201, s. 304-B
Subjects
dowry deathSection 304-B IPCSection 201 IPCSection 113-B Evidence Actpresumption of dowry deathconcealment of evidencepoisoningunlawful cremation
Judgment
RAM BADAN SHARMA A
v.
STA TE OF BIHAR
AUGUST 21, 2006
[S.B. SINHA AND DAL VEER BHANDARI, JJ.] B
Penal Code, 1860: Sections 304-B and 201.
Dowry death-Parents of deceased-wife failed to give dowry articles-
The deceased was harassed and was ultimately killed by administering C
poison to her by her husband and in-laws-The deceased died after eating
'Prasad' and thereafter she was neither taken to any doctor nor any treatment
was given to her-The news of the death of the deceased was not sent to the
. parents of the deceased-They came to know of the death only after three
days-The accused persons clandestinely, secretly and hurriedly cremated D
the deceased without informing the factum of death to the parents of the
deceased-Trial court convicted the accused persons under Ss. 304-B and
20/-High Court affirmed the conviction-Correctness of-Held: There has
been a persistent demand of dowry and harassment, humiliation and physical
violence and beating by the husband and her in-laws-The deceased died
under unnatural circumstances within seven years of the marriage-The E
aforementioned incidents necessarily attract Section 304-B /PC-Hence, the
presumption of dowry death under S. 113-B of the Evidence Act clearly
arose-The accused persons secretly and clandestinely cremated the deceased
to wipe out the entire evidence of murder-This clearly attracted Section 201
!PC also-Hence, conviction upheld-Evidence Act, 1872, S. 113-B-Dowry F
Pro/iibition Act, 1961.
According to the prosecution, the husband and in-laws of the deceased
had been persistently demanding a colour TV, motor cycle and cash. Due to
the failure of her parents to give dowry articles, the deceased was harassed
and was ultimately killed by administering poison to her by the accused G
persons. The deceased died after eating 'Prasad' and thereafter she was
neither taken to any doctor nor any treatment was given to her. The news of
the death of the deceased was not sent to the parents of the deceased who were
living only a few miles away from the village of the accused. The accused
795 H
796 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [20061 SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A persons clandestinely, secretly and hurriedly cremated the deceased without
informing the factum of death to the parents of the deceased. Only from a
barber, after three days, the parents of the deceased came to know about the
death of the deceased.
The trial court convicted the accused persons under Sections 304-B
B and 201 of the Penal Code, 1860. The High Court affirmed the conviction.
Hence the appeal.
The following questions arose before the Court:-
(i) Whether the prosecution was able to prove the demands of dowry?
c
(ii) Whether the deceased had died because of the harassment and
cruelty meted out at the hands of the accused persons in connection with the
demands of dowry?
(iii) Whether the death had occurred within seven years of the
D marriage?
Dismissing the appeals, the Court
HELD: I. When the evidence of the instant case is closely examined,
then the conclusion regarding the guilt of the accused persons becomes
E irresistible. There is an overwhelming evidence to establish that there has
been persistent demand of dowry and because of non-fulfillment of the said
demand, there was harassment, humiliation and continuous beating of the
deceased by the accused persons. The most suspicious circumstance which
supported the story oqhe prosecution was that the news of the death of the
F deceased was not sent to the parents of the deceased who were living only a
few miles away from the village of the accused. The accused persons
clandestinely, secretly and hurriedly cremated the deceased withnut informing
the factum of death to the parents of the deceased. Only from a barber, after
three days, the parents of the deceased learnt that the deceased was killed by
administering poison to her. The deceased's brother and other relatives
G rushed to the village where they learnt that the deceased was killed by
administering poison. (806-H, 807-A-D-E(
2. There are three main ingredients of the offence under Section 304-
8 of the Penal Code, 1860; (a) that, there is a demand of dowry and harassment
by the accused on that count; (b) that, the deceased died; and (c) that, the death
H is under unnatural .circumstances within seven years of the marriage. When
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. ST ATE OF BIHAR 797
these factors were proved by reliable and cogent evidence, then the A
presumption of dowry death under Section 113-8 of the Evidence Act, 1872
clearly arose. The aforementioned ingredients necessarily attract Section 304-
8 IPC. Section 304-8 is a special provision which was inserted by an
amendment of 1986 to deal with a large number of dowry deaths taking place
in the country. In the instant case, if the circumstances of the case are
analyzed on the touchstone of Section 304-8, all the three basic ingredients B
of Section 304-8 IPC are present. There has been a persistent demand of
dowry and harassment, humiJiation and physical violence and beating by the
husband and her in-laws. The deceased died under unnatural circumstances
within seven years of the marriage. (808-8-E(
3. The deceased was killed by administering poison to her. Neither the
c
deceased was taken to any doctor nor any doctor was called to examine her
nor was any kind of medical treatment given to the deceased. This is extremely
unnatural human conduct. The dead body was secretly and clandestinely
cremated causing disappearance of evidence of offence, without ev~n intimating
the parents of the deceased who were living only a few miles away from their D
village. They learnt about the murder of the deceased from a barber after about
three days. The appellant secretly and clandestinely cremated the deceased
to wipe out the entire evidence of murder. This clearly attracted Section 201
IPC also. (809-E-F-H(
Soni Devrajbhai Babubhai v. State ofGujarat, [1991] 4 SCC 298, Satvir E
Singh v. State of Punjab, (2001] 8 SCC 633, Hira Lal v. State (Govt. ofNCT),
Delhi, (2003] 8 SCC 80, Dhian Singh v. State of Punjab, (2004] 7 SCC 759,
Sarojini v. State ofMP., [1993] Supp. 4 SCC 632, State of Karnataka v. M V.
Manjunathegowda; (2003] 2 SCC 188, Muthu Kutty v. State, (2005] 9 SCC
113, Harjit Singh v. State of Punjab, (2006] l SCC 463, Kamesh Panjiyar v. p
State of Bihar, [2005) 2 SCC 388 and State of Punjab v. Iqbal Singh, (1991]
3 SCC 1, relied on.
Hem Chand v. State of Haryana, ( 1994j 6 SCC 727, referred to.
4. The trial court was wholly justified in convicting the appellants under G
Sections 304-8 and 201 IPC. The High Court was also justified in affirming
· the judgment and order of the trial court. (809-G]
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION : Criminal Appeal No. 1493 of
2004.
H
798 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A From the Judgment and Order dated 26.2.2004 of the High Court of
Judicature at Patna in Criminal Appeal No. 64 of 2002.
WITH
Crl. A. No. 333 of2005.
B
Kumar ParimaL P.V. Yogeswaran, Y.P. Singh, A.C., C. Siddharth and
Prakriti Pumima for the Appellant.
Gopal Singh and Anukul Roy for the Respondent.
C The Judgment of the Court was delivered by
DALVEER BHANDARI, J. These appeals are directed against the
judgment of the High Court of Patna in Criminal Appeal No.64 of 2002.
Brief facts of this case are as follows:
D On 20th November 1993, at 4.30 p.m., the brother of the deceased
Chandra Bhushan Chaudhary, PW2 filed a written complaint at the Police
Station Chandi alleging that his sister Sanju Kumari (who was married in the
year 1989) was poisoned by her husband Surya Kant Shanna, her father-in-
law Ram Badan Shanna and mother-in-law Saraswati Devi. It was also alleged
E that at the time of marriage, Surya Kant Sharma, Ram Badan Shanna and
Saraswati Devi demanded a colour TV, Yamaha motor-cycle and cash of
Rs.20,000/-. The infonnant and his family could not fulfill their dowry demal'ds.
The customary 'Durgaman' (second marriage) had taken place on 26.10.1993
and at that time, the same demands were repeated by the accused persons.
F In the report, it was also mentioned that on 17 .11.1993, brother-in-law
of the deceased (sister's husband) Ramakant Chaudhary, PW1, visited Lodipur
on the request of the deceased' s mother to meet the deceased. The accused
persons told PWl that no one would be pennitted to meet Sanju Kumari
unless their dowry demands are fulfilled by the parents of the deceased. On
G persuasion for sometime, he was pennitted to meet Sanju Kumari. She wept
before him and narrated that she was harassed and tortured by the accused
persons for not getting motor-cycle, colour TV and Rs.20,000/- from her
parents. On return from the house of the deceased, PW1 narrated to his
mother-in-law and brother-in-law the entire story of harassment of the deceased
on account of non-fulfillment of dowry demands. It is further stated in the
H report that only after a few hours, on the intervening night of 17th and 18th
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STA TE OF BIHAR [DAL VEf;R BHANDARI, J.] 799
of November, poison was administered to the deceased in the 'Prasad' and A
consequently she died.
On 20.11.1993, a Barber from Lodipur brought a letter which disclosed
that Sanju Kumari had died on the intervening night of 17 /18.11.1993. The
informant rushed to the village Lodipur where he came to know that the
accused persons had killed his sister by administering poison to her. The FIR B
was filed at the Chandi Police Station by the brother of the deceased. On
completion of the investigation, the Investigating Officer submitted a charge-
sheet against the accused persons Surya Kant Sharma and Ram Badan Sharma.
The case was committed to the Court of Sessions. Initially, no charge-sheet
was filed against Saraswati Devi, mother-in-law of the deceased. However, C
after examination of the witnesses, Saraswati Devi was also summoned by the
Court under Section 319 Cr.P.C. to face the trial.
The accused persons denied the allegations and a defence was taken
that Sanju Kumari had died due to stomach pain. It was alleged on behalf of
the defence that she complained of stomach pain on 16.11.1993 and that she D
was taken to the clinic where she was treated by Dr. K.N. Singh and Dr. B.K.
Jain. It was also stated that the informant and his relatives attended the
'Shradh' ofSanju Kumari. The informant wanted to get back all the ornaments
given to Sanju Kumari at the time of her marriage but when the accused
persons did not agree, this false case was filed against them. It was also
asserted that during the relevant period, SarasWati Devi was under treatment E
at Calcutta.
The prosecution examined six witnesses, namely, Ramakant Chaudhary
PW!, brother-in-law of the deceased, Chandra Bhushan Chaudhary PW2,
brother of the deceased, who proved the FIR(Ext.l), Gautam Chaudhary PW3, F
the cousin of the deceased, Malti Devi PW4, mother of the deceased. Malti
Devi proved one letter (Ext.2) written by the deceased Sanju Kumari to her.
In the letter, she wrote that she was facing harassment and humiliation by the
accused persons because their demands for dowry had not been fulfilled.
Anita Devi, sister-in-law (Bhabhi) of the deceased was examined as PW5. All
these witnesses had supported the case of the prosecution. Pawan Kumar G
Singh, Assistant Sub-Inspector of Police, Police Station Amash, District Gaya,
who was the Investigating Officer of the case, was examined as PW6.
On behalf of the defence, five witnesses were examined. Sudama Singh
DWI and Ram Chhabila Singh DW2 were examined to support the defence
version. Dr. B.K. Jain DW3 proved medical certificates dated 15.11.1993 and H
800 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A 16.11.1993. Jagat Narayan Singh DW4, a Public Relation Inspector of post
office Arrah brought one register of Kisan Vikas Patra. Accused Ram Badan
Sharma was examined as DW5. He proved the signature of Sanju on the
application brought by DW4 from the post office.
Careful analysis of the evidence by the trial court led to a clear conclusion
B that the marriage of the accused Surya Kant Sharma was solemnized with the
deceased in 1989 and the deceased died suddenly on the intervening night
of 17/18.11.1993 in unnatural circumstances within seven years of the marriage.
On the basis of evidence on record, we are called upon to adjudicate
following questions:
c
(I) Whether the prosecution was able to prove the demands of
dowry?
(II) Whether the deceased had died because of harassment and
cruelty meted out at the hands of the accused persons in
D connection with the demands of dowry?
(III) Whether the death had occurred within seven years of the
marriage?
The informant, Chandra Bhushan Chaudhary PW2 brother of the
E deceased, in his statement categorically stated that at the time of marriage of
the deceased, the accused persons demanded a colour TV, Yamaha motor-
cycle and a sum of Rs.20,000/- aad because of the financial inability, the
dowry demands of the accused persons could not be fulfilled. He further
stated that on 26.10.1993, when the deceased was sent to her in-laws at
Lodipur, same demands of dowry articles were repeated. He had also stated
F in his statement that his brother-in-law, the accused Surya Kant Sharma was
not willing to take his sister (the deceased) back to her matrimonial home for
the want of dowry but on the request and persuasion of the family members
of the deceased, the accused ultimately took Sanju Kumari back on 26.10.1993.
PW2 further stated in his statement that the brother-in-law of the deceased,
Ramakant Chaudhary, went to meet the deceased at Lodipur on 17 .11.1993 on
G the request of his mother-in-law. On return, Ramakant informed them that the
deceased's husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law demanded same dowry
articles and threatened that in case, dowry articles were not given, they would
kill Sanju (deceased). He further stated that they received the news of the
death of Sanju Kumari from a 13arber after three days of the death i.e. on
H 20.11.1993. The informant Chandra Bhushan, Ramakant, Gautam Chaudhary
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STA TE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI,J.] 801
and few villagers went to Lodipur, where they were informed that Sanju A
Kumari was poisoned by Surya Kant Sharma, Ram Badan Sharma and Saraswati
Devi. In the cross-examination, he again reiterated that there was demand of
colour TV, Yamaha motor-cycle and Rs.20,000/- when Ramakant PW2 had
gone to meet the deceased Sanju on 17.11.1993.
The prosecution had examined Ramakant Chaudhal')'., brother-in~law of B
the deceased (sister's husband) as PW!. He categorically stated that on the
request of his mother-in-law, he had gone to the house of the deceased Sanju
on 17.11.1993. At that time, Surya Kant Sharma and his father Ram Badan
Sharma were present in the house. They clearly stated that nobody would be
allowed to meet Sanju unless the demands of colour TV, motor-cycle and cash C
amount of Rs.20,000/- were fulfilled by the parents of Sanju. PW! explained
the position and on persuasion, ultimately he was allowed to meet Sanju
(deceased). Sanju Kumari wept before him and asked him to go and ask her
father to send a colour TV and a motor-cycle. He returned and narrated the
entire story to his brother-in-law Chandra Bhushan PW2 and his mother-in-
law Malti Devi PW4. D
PW2 also stated about demands of dowry and specifically named the
accused persons. He also stated that he received the news of death of his
sister from a Barber on 20.11.1993. Immediately thereafter, lie along with others
left for Lodipur village. There, people informed that his sister was killed by
administering poison to her by the accused persons. E
Gautam Chaudhary was also examined by the prosecution as PW3. He
stated that the deceased was his cousin. He categorically stated that the
deceased's husband and in-laws demanded motor-cycle and an amount of
Rs.20,000/-. He further stated that the treatment given to the deceased by her F
husband and in-laws was not good. On 26. l 0. I 993, on persuasion from all of
them, the husband of the deceased had taken the deceased. He further
informed that on 20. l l.1993, he got the information that Sanju Devi was killed
by administering poison to her by her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-
law.
G
The prosecution also examined Malti Devi, mother of the deceased as
PW4. She also reiterated that at the time of marriage, accused persons Surya
Kant Sharma, Ram Badan Sharma and Saraswati Devi demanded a colour TV,
motor-cycle and a sum of Rs.20,000/-. She further stated in her statement that
after a week of marriage, the deceased returned from her in-laws house and
she informed that she was beaten by her mother-in-law, father-in-law and H
802 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A husband for not bringing the colour TV, motor-cycle and a sum of Rs.20,000/
- She also stated that after a lot of persuasion, her daughter was taken back
by her in-laws on 26.10.1993. She further stated that the accused persons
tortured her for not bringing dowry articles. She also stated that her elder son-
in-law Ramakant Chaudhary was sent to the house of Sanju to enquire about
her welfare. She further stated in her statement that initially the accused did
B not allow Ramakant to meet Sanju but after some persuasion, Ramakant was
permitted to meet her. The deceased told Ramakant that she was being
tortured in different ways by the accused persons for not bringing the dowry
articles. Accused persons also threatened to kill her in case she failed to bring
the dowry articles.
c On 20.11.1993, a Barber came from Lodipur to her house and informed
that Sanju had died. Immediately thereafter, her son Chandra Bhushan PW2,
Ramakant Chaudhary PW!, Gautam PW3 and few villagers went to the house
of the deceased at Lodipur. On arrival, they were informed that the deceased
was killed by administering poison to her and the dead body was hurriedly
D cremated. She stated that she received a letter (Ext.2) by post written by the
deceased Sanju in her own signature. She also stated that her daughter
complained about the torture and harassment by the accused persons. She
stated that thereafter they met the accused persons and told them that they
would further give Rs. I 8,000/- to them. She further stated that she was not
even informed about the death of her daughter by the family members of the
E deceased.
The prosecution also examined Anita Devi, sister-in-law of the deceased
as PW5. She stated that after the marriage, her sister-in-law (deceased) came
back to her hoµse after eight days. The deceased told them that her husband
F and in-laws were giving her beatings for not bringing TV, motor-cycle and an
amount ofRs.20,000/-. She also stated that on persuasion, the husband of the
deceased had taken her back. She also stated that her sister-in-law was killed
by administering poison to her.
The prosecution also examined Pawan Kumar Singh, Assistant Sub-
G Inspector of Police as PW6. He stated that the FIR Ext.3 was in his hand-
writing and he proved the same. He also stated that he recorded the statement
of Chandra Bhushan Pandey, Mukhiya, who had stated that it was wrong to
say that the dowry items \vere demanded by the accused persons. He gave
a medical certificate to show that Saraswati Devi, mother-in-law of the deceased
had been sick from 5. I 1. I993 to 3.12.1993 and was under treatment at Calcutta.
H
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STATE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 803
He also stated that the deceased Sanju was treated by Dr. K.N. Singh and Dr. A
B. K. Jain of Arrah on 15.11.1993 and 16.11.1993. In his statement, he tried to
lay the foundation that there had been no demand of dowry aiticles by the
accused persons.
The appellants in defence had examined Sudama Singh, DWI, Ram
Chhabila Singh, DW2, Dr. B.K. Jain, DW3 and Jagat Narayan Singh, DW4. B
The accused Ram Sadan Sharma was also examined as DW5.
The Additional Sessions Judge, Bhojpur, Arrah carefully examined the
entire evidence on record. The prosecution had examined six witnesses. The
trial court after analyzing the entire evidence on record came to the categoric C
finding that the prosecution was able to prove that Sanju Kumari was killed
within seven years of her marriage for not fulfilling the demands of dowry
articles.
According to the requirement of Section 304-B !PC and Section 113-B
of the Indian Evidence Act, the trial court also examined whether there was D
evidence that the deceased soon before the death was subjected to harassment
and cruelty in connection with the demands for dowry. On this issue also, the
•. trial court carefully analysed the evidence and came to a definite finding that
the prosecution was able to prove the fact that due to demands of dowry, the
deceased was subjected to harassment before her death. The trial court also
examined the manner in which the death had occurred. E
Section 113-B of the Evidence Act has been inserted with regard to
presumption of dowry death. The Section reads as under:-
"113-B. Presumption as to dowry death-When the question is whether
a person has committed the dowry death of a woman and it is shown F
that soon before her death such woman has been subjected by such
person to cruelty or harassment for, or in connection with, any demand
for dowry, the Court shall presume that such person had caused the
dowry death.
Explanation-For the purposes of this section "dowry death" shall
G
have the same meaning as in section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code
(45of1860)."
The accused persons in their defence examined the evidence of Dr. B.K. Jain
and Dr. K.N. Singh. Dr. B.K. Jain, DW3, stated that he treated the deceased H
for the disease of appendix and she remained in his treatment from 15.11.1993
804 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A to 16.11.1993. He referred her to Surgeon but in the cross-examination, he
admitted that after 15.11.1993, he had not examined the deceased. The defence
failed to give any explanation why she was not examined by any Surgeon
after she was referred to by DW3. The trial court after examining the entire .
evidence came to the conclusion that the death had not occurred in the
normal circumstances. The trial court observed that on the day of 'Chhath'
B i.e. on 17.11.1993, the deceased had gone to the house of accused Ram Badan
Sharma tor taking 'Prasad'. This is indicative of the fact that till then the
deceased was physically in good health. DWI further stated that after taking
the 'Prasad', she started having acute pain in stomach and thereafter she
died.
c The deceased's parents were admittedly not even informed about this
unfortunate incident. Only on 20.11.1993, they learnt about it from a Barber
and then they rushed to Lodipur. On reaching Lodipur, they heard that the
deceased was administered poison in the Prasad. DWI clearly mentioned that
the deceased had died after taking the Prasad. According to the trial court,
D immediately after the death, the dead-body was hurriedly disposed of and
there was no autopsy of the dead body. This is a very vital circumstance
which according to the trial court clearly led to the conclusion that the
deceased died in unnatural circumstances. DWI also admitted that after
giving the Prasad, the deceased was not given any medical treatment. The
E trial court also observed that under the provisions of Section 113-B of the
Evidence Act, the prosecution has proved the presumption of dowry death.
The trial court discarded the story of return of ornaments by OW I and DW2
as being not convincing. The trial court observed that the deceased died in
the circumstances narrated by DWI. According to the trial court, either it was
a case of homicide or suicide, in both the cases, the accused would be held
F guilty for the offence under Section 304B IPC.
The trial court observed that admittedly the death had occurred on the
intervening night of 17/18.11.1993. The FIR was lodged at 7.00 a.m. on
20.11.1993. The parents and other family members of the deceased learnt
G about her death from a Barber after three days of the death. The dead body
was c,temated hurriedly without even giving any information to her parents
and this circumstance strengthens the case of prosecution that the death had
occurred in suspicious circumstances. According to the trial court, involvement
of Saraswati Devi in this case was not established beyond reasonable doubt.
She was not present on I 7.11.1993 when PWI visited the deceased. DWI
H stated that Saraswati Devi was in Calcutta and there was no evidence that .....
RAM BAD AN SHARMA v. STA TE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 805
from 26.10.1993 to 17/18.11.1993, she remained in her house. In view of the A
evidence of PW 1 that he remained for two hours on the doors of the accused
and only met the accused Surya Kant Sharma and Ram Badan Sharma.
Thereafter, he met the deceased Sanju Kumari and he remained there for an
hour. He did not state that he even saw Saraswati Devi in the house. The trial
court was of the opinion that reasonable doubt arose with regard to the B
involvement of mother-in-law of the deceased Sanju Devi and, therefore, gave
her benefit of doubt.
The trial court came to a definite conclusion that the prosecution had
been able to prove the charges under Sections 304-B and 201 !PC against the
husband and father-in-law of the deceased and convicted them under Sections C
304-B and 201 !PC. The trial court sentenced the accused to undergo 10 years
rigorous imprisonment for the offence under Section 304-B l.P.C. They were
also sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for two years for the offence
under Section 20 I !PC. The Court further directed that both the sentences
shall run concurrently.
D
The appellants aggrieved by the judgment of the learned Addi. Sessions
Judge, Bhojpur, Arrah, preferred an appeal before the High Court. The High
Court analysed the judgment of the learned Addi. Sessions Judge and the
entire evidence on record. It is not necessary to repeat the findings of the
High Court in detail. According to the findings of the trial court, it was a clear E
case of demands of dowry and harassment on account of not fulfilling the
said demands and ultimately the poison was administered to the deceased in
the 'Prasad' within seven years of her marriage.
The High Court also came to the conclusion that the husband and in~
laws of the deceased had been persistently demanding a colour TV, motor- F
cycle and cash of Rs.20,000/-. Due to the failure of her parents to give dowry
articles, the deceased was harassed and was ultimately killed by administering
poison to her by the accused persons. According to the High Court, clear
offences under Section 304-B and 201 I.P.C. were made out against the accused
persons.
G
_,,,. The High Court observed that there was perceptible nexus between the
death of Sanju and dowry related harassment or cruelty inflicted on her. The
High Court also independently came to the conclusion that the evidence of
the prosecution witnesses manifestly reflected that shortly after Sanju Kumari
went to her in-laws house after the marriage and returned to her parents H
806 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A house only after eight days, she had been complaining to her parents about '
torture and beating by the husband and in-laws for not getting the dowry
articles. The husband and in-laws of the deceased were not even prepared
to take the deceased back to their house for her not bringing the dowry
articles and it was after much entreaties that the deceased was taken back to
B their house. The High Court gave particular reference to the statement of
Ramakant Chaudhary PWl when he visited Sanju Kumari's house on the
request of his mother-in-law on 17.11.1993. Sanju Kumari had narrated her
woes to him apprehending danger to her life and this must be construed to
be cruelty and/or torture. Though other witnesses state about assault on
Sanju Kumari, even if that be not there, a definite conclusion can be drawn
C that there was evidence of torture to the deceased immediately preceding her
death. The interval elapsed between infliction of such harassment or cruelty
and her death was too narrow to be widened any more. The High Court after
carefully examining the entire evidence on record came to the definite
conclusion regarding the guilt of the accused persons and upheld the judgment
D of the learned trial court. Consequently, the appeal filed by the appellants was
dismissed.
The appellants aggrieved by the impugned judgment of the High Court
have approached this Court in two separate appeals.
E The learned counsel appearing for the appellants submitted that there
was no evidence to sustain the conviction of the appellants under Sections
304-B and 20 I !PC. The learned counsel also submitted there was no material
on record to attract Section 113-B of the Evidence Act. It was also submitted
on behalf of the appellants that the High Court erred in not applying the strict
test before relying on the circumstantial evidence to pass the verdict of
F conviction. It was also argued on behalf of the appellants that the High Court
was not correct in rejecting the testimony of Dr. B.K. Jain DW3.
In these appeals, it was prayed that the Court must consider the case
sympathetically and on humanitarian consideration, it was also prayed that
G the sentence of the appellants be reduced to the period already undergone.
The appellants have challenged the impugned judgment of the High
Court on the plea that they have been erroneously convicted under Sections
304-B and 201 !PC.
When the evidence of the instant case is closely examined, then the
H conclusion regarding the guilt of the accused persons becomes irresistible.
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STATE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 807
There is an overwhelming evidence to establish that there has been persistent A
demand of dowry and because of non-fulfilment of the said demand, there
was harassment, humiliation and continuous beating of the deceased by the
accused persons. In the instant case, ~s late as on 17.11.1993, Ramakant
Chaudhary, PWI, at the instance of his mother-in-law PWS, had visited the
deceased to enquire about her welfare. When he reached the house of the
deceased initially the accused persons did n·ot even permit him to meet the B
deceased on the ground that until their demands for dowry were fulfilled, they
would not permit any one to meet the deceased. On persuasion, Ramakant
Chaudhary, PWI, was ultimately allowed to meet the deceased. The deceased
narrated to her brother-in-law, PWI, that she was being harassed because the
demands of dowry were not fulfilled. Immediately thereafter, PWI went and C
narrated the entire story to the brother and mother of the deceased. It is
extremely significant that within a few hours, poison was administered to the
deceased in the Prasad and she died on the intervening night of 17/18.11.1993.
According to the statement of PW I, the deceased died after eating the
'Prasad' and thereafter she was neither taken to any doctor nor any treatment
was given to her. The most suspicious circumstance which supported the D
story of the prosecution was that the news of the death of the deceased was
not sent to the parents of the deceased who were living only a few miles away
from the village of the accused. The accused persons clandestinely, secretly
and hurriedly cremated the deceased without informing the factum of death
to the parents of the deceased. This circumstance strongly proved and lent E
immense credibility to the prosecution version. Only from a Barber, on 20.11.1993
(after three days), the parents of the deceased learnt that Sanju Kumari was
killed by administering the poison to her. The deceased's brother and other
relatives rushed to the village where they learnt that the deceased was killed
by administering the poison.
F
In the instant case, the appellants were convicted under Sections 304-
B and 20 I IPC. Section 304-B IPC reads as follows:
"S.304-B. Dowry Death.-{ I) Where the death of a woman is caused
by any bums or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal
circumstances within seven years of her marriage and it is shown that G
soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by
her husband or any relative of her husband for, or in connection with,
any demand for dowry, such death shall be called "dJwry death", and
such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death.
Explanation.-For the purposes of this sub-section, "dowry" H
808 SUPREME CUURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A shall have the same meaning as in s. 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961 (28of1961).
(2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with
imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but
which may extend to imprisonment for life."
B
This Section was inserted in the Indian Penal Code by an Act 43 of 1986 on
19.11.1986.
There are three main ingredients of this offence; (a) that, there is a
demand of dowry and harassment by the accused on that count; (b) that, the
C deceased died; and (c) that, the death is under unnatural circumstances within
seven years of the marriage. When these factors were proved by reliable and
cogent evidence, then the presumption of dowry death under section 113-B
of the Evidence Act clearly arose. The aforementioned ingredients necessarily
attract Section 304-B !PC. Section 304-B is a special provision which was
inserted by an amendment of 1986 to deal with a large number of dowry
D deaths taking place in the country. In the instant case, if the circumstances
of the case are analyzed on the touchstone of Section 304-B !PC, all the three
basic ingredients of Section 304-B l.P.C. are present in the instant case. There
has been persistent demand of dowry and harassment, humiliation and physical
violence and beating by the husband and her in-laws. The deceased died
E under unnatural circumstances within seven years of the marriage.
In our considered opinion, the trial court has properly analyzed the
evidence and justly convicted the appellants under Section 304-B l.P.C. The
High Court also examined the entire evidence on record and came to the same
conclusion. No infirmity can be found with the impugned judgment of the
F High Court.
Looking to the seriousness of the matter, we also independently examined
the entire evidence on record. On critical examination of the evidence, we also
arrived at the same conclusion. The trial court was justified in convicting the
accused persons under Section 304-B IPC and that the conviction of these
G two appellants has been rightly upheld by the High Court.
The appellants have also been convicted under Section 20 I IPC. Section
201 reads as under:
H
"S. 201. Causing disappearance of evidence of offence, or giving
false information to screen offender.-Whoever, knowing or having
-
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STATE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.) 809
reason to believe that an offence has been committed, causes any A
evidence of the commission of that offence to disappear, with the
intention of screening the offender from legal punishment, or with that
intention gives any information respecting the offence which he knows
or believes to be false;
if a capital offence-shall, if the offence which he knows or B
believes to have been committed is punishable with death, be punished
with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend
to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine;
if punishable with imprisonment for life-and if the offence is
punishable with imprisonment for life, or with imprisonment which C
may extend to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to three years, and shall also
be liable to fine;
if punishable with less than ten years' imprisonment-and if the
offence is punishable with imprisonment for any term not extending D
to ten years, shall be punished with imprisonment of the description
provided for the offence, for a term which may extend to one-fourth
part of the longest term of the imprisonment provided for the offence,
or with fine, or with both."
In the instant case, according to the prosecution, the deceased was E
killed by administering poison to her on the intervening night of I7/18.11.1993.
Neither the deceased was taken to any doctor nor any doctor was called to
examine her nor any kind of medical treatment was given to the deceased.
This i~ extremely unnatural human conduct. The dead body was secretly and
clandestinely cremated causing disappearance of evidence of offence, without F
even intimating the parents of the deceased who were living only a few miles
away from their village. They learnt about the murder of the deceased from
a Barber on 20.11.1993 after about three days. The appellants secretly and
clandestinely cremated the deceased to wipe out the entire evidence of murder.
This clearly attracted Section 20 I IPC. The trial court was wholly justified in
convicting the appellants under Section 20 I !PC also. The High Court was G
also justified in affirming the judgment and order of the trial court.
We deem it appropriate to refer some of the important cases dealing
with Section 304-B !PC and Section 113 of the Indian Evidence Act.
In Soni Devrajbhai Babubhai v. State of Gujarat & Ors., [1991] 4 SCC H
810 SUPREME COURT REPORTS (2006) SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A 298, this Court dealt with the objects and philosophy behind enactment of
Section 304-B IPC. In this case, it has been mentioned that Section 304-B and
the cognate provisions are meant for eradication of the social evil of dowry
which has been the bane of Indian society and conti 1rnes unabated. For
eradication of social evil, effective steps can be taken by the society itself and
social sanctions of community can be more deterrent, yet legal sanctions in
B the form of its prohibition and punishment are some steps in that direction.
The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was enacted for this purpose. The
report of the Joint Committee of Parliament quoted the observation of our first
Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru to indicate the role of Legislation in
C dealing with the social evil as under:
"Legislation cannot by itself normally solve dt:ep-rooted social
problems. One has to approach them in other ways too, but legislation
is necessary and essential, so that it may give that push and have that
educative factor as well as the legal sanctions behind it which help
D public opinion to be given a certain shape."
Prime Minister Nehru proved prophetic because despite various Legislations
the menace of dowry deaths is unfortunately increasing at an alarming speed.
Ordinarily, Legislations are based on public opinion, but at times even
Legislations also create public opinion. Regrettably, despite many Legislations,
E we have not been able to control dowry deat_hs. Perhaps greater social
awareness and more severe legislative measures are urgently required to curb
the menace of dowry related deaths. To our information, in no other civilized
country similar problem of this magnitude exists. This is indeed a slur on our
great heritage, ancient cultural and civilization.
F This Court in Hem Chand v. State of Haryana, (1994] 6 SCC 727, dealt
with the basic ingredient of Section 304-B IPC and Section 113-B of the
Evidence Act. This Court, in this case, observed as follows:
"A reading of Section 304-B !PC would show that when a question
arises whether a person has committed the offence of dowry death of
G a woman what all that is necessary is it should be shown that soon
before her unnatural death, which took place within seven years of the
marriage, the decea~ed had been subjected, by such person, to cruelty
or harassment for or in connection with demand for dowry. If that is
shown then the court shall presume that such a person has caused
H the dowry death. It can therefore be seen that irrespective of the fact
II
RAM BADAN SHARMA v. STATE OF BIHAR [DAL VEER BHANDARI, J.] 811
whether such person is directly responsible for the death of the A
deceased or not by virtue of the presumption, he is deemed to have
committed the dowry death if there were such cruelty or harassment
and that if the unnatural death has occurred within seven years from
the date of marriage. Likewise there is a presumption under Section
113-B of the Evidence Act as to the dowry death. It lays down that
the court shall presume that the person who has subjected the B
deceased wife to cruelty before her death caused the dowry death if
it is shown that before her death, such woman had been subjected,
by the accused, to cruelty or harassment in connection with any
demand for dowry. Practically this is the presumption that has been
incorporated in Section 304-B I.P.C. also. It can therefore be seen that C
irrespective of the fact whether the accused has any direct connection
with the death or not, he shall be presumed to have committed the
dowry death provided the other requirements mentioned above are
satisfied."
In cases where it is proved that it was neither a natural death nor an D
accidental death, then the obvious conclusion has to be that it was an
unnatural death either homicidal or suicidal. But, even assuming that it is a
case of suicide, even then it would be death which had occurred in unnatural
circumstances. Even in such a case. Section 304-B !PC is attracted.
In Satvir Singh & Ors. v. State of Punjab & Anr., [2001] 8 SCC 633, this E
Court examined the meaning of the words "soon before her death". The Court
observed that the legislative object in providing such a radius of time by
employing the words "soon before her death" is to emphasize the idea that
her death, should, in all probabilities, have been the aftermath of such cruelty
or harassment. In other words, there should be a close and perceptible nexus p
between death and the dowry-related harassment or cruelty inflicted on the
deceased.
This Court in Hira Lal & Ors. v. State (Govt. of NCT), Delhi, [2003] 8
SCC 80 reiterated that Section 304-B !PC and Section 113-B of the Evidence
Act were inserted with a view to combat the increasing menace of dowry G
deaths. Perhaps the Legislations are outcome of public opinion and a
comprehensive 91st Report on "Dowry Deaths and Law Reform: Amending
the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Indian
Evidence Act, 1872" submitted on 10.8.1983 by the Law Commission of India.
In the introductory chapter of the report, it is mentioned that the last few
H
812 SUPREME COURT REPORTS [2006] SUPP. 4 S.C.R.
A months have witnessed an alarming increase in the number of cases in which
married women die in circumstances which, to say the least, are highly
suspicious. In the popular mind, these deaths have come to be associated
with dowry, which is why, in popular parlance, they have come to be called
"dowry·deaths". Even after more than two decades of submitting the said
report and enactments of new Legislations, unfortunately cases of dowry
B deaths are increasing. In the report, deep concern has been shown that once
a serious crime is committed, detection is a difficult matter and still more
difficult is successful prosecution of the offender. Crimes that lead to dowry
deaths are almost invariably committed within the safe precincts of a residential
house. The criminal is a member of the family other members of the family
C are either guilty associates in crime, or silent out conniving witnesses to it.
In any case, the shackles of the family are so strong that truth may not come
out of the chains. There would be no other eye witnesses, except for members
of the family. Perhaps to meet a situation of this kind, the Legislature enacted
Section 304-B !PC and Section I 13-B of the Evidence Act.
D In Hira Lal's case (supra), this Court observed that the prosecution has
to rule out the possibility of a natural or accidental death so as to bring it
within the purview of the 'death occurring otherwise than in normal
circumstanct:s'. The expression 'soon before' is relevant for invoking Section
304-B !PC and Section I 13-B of the Evidence Act. (See also: Dhian Singh &
E Anr. v. State of Punjab, (2004] 7 SCC 759, Sarojini v. State of M.P., [1993]
Supp. 4 SCC 632, Srate of Karnataka v. M. V. Manjunathegowda & Anr.,
(2003] 2 SCC I88, Muthu Kutty & Anr. v. State, (2005] 9 SCC I 13, Harjit Singh
v. State of Punjab, [2006] I SCC 463, Kamesh Panjiyar v. State ofBihar, [2005]
2 SCC 388 and State of Punjab v. Iqbal Singh & Ors., (1991] 3 SCC I).
p On consideration of the law as crystallized in the decided cases of this
Court and evidence on record, we are, therefore, satisfied that the prosecution
has successfully proved its case against the appellants. We, therefore, concur
with the view of the courts below and affirm the conviction and sentence of
the appellants. These appeals are accordingly dismissed.
G v.s.s. Appeal's dismissed.
Search Indian case law
Ask in plain English, not just keywords. 25,000 AI words free, no card.
Try "dowry death"Sign in to search