Bhagwan Tukaram Dange v. State of Maharashtra
CRIMINAL APPEAL NO.1823 OF 2008 JUDGEMENT
Appellant herein was charge-sheeted for the offences of murder of his wife under Sections 302, 498A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code before the High Court of Bombay. The appellant on reaching home demanded Rs.200/- to Rs.300/- from the wife. On refusing she was severely beaten up and asked to bring it from her parental house. They then sprinkled kerosene from a plastic can over the body of the deceased and the appellant then lit a match-stick and set fire on the saree of the deceased. Deceased shouted for help and rolled down on the ground and ultimately succeeded in extinguishing the fire, but by the time she had suffered more than 80 per cent burns over the body. On getting information, parents of the deceased came to the spot and took her to the nearby Public Health Centre, Mayani. After first aid, the deceased was referred to the Civil Hospital where she died. Learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State, submitted that the trial court as well as the High Court has correctly appreciated the oral and documentary evidence adduced in this case, especially, the dying declarations. The Supreme Court then indicated that the appellant has to serve a period of minimum 20 years with remission….read more