Hira Lal
& Ors Vs. State (Govt. of NCT) Delhi [2003] Insc 314 (25 July 2003)
Doraiswamy
Raju & Arijit Pasayat. Arijit Pasayat,J
Marriages
are made in heaven, is an adage. A bride leaves the parental home for the
matrimonial home, leaving behind sweet memories therewith a hope that she will
see a new world full of love in her groom's house. She leaves behind not only
her memories, but also her surname, gotra and maidenhood. She expects not only
to be a daughter in law, but a daughter in fact. Alas! The alarming rise in the
number of cases involving harassment to the newly wed girls for dowry shatters
the dreams. Inlaws are characterized to be outlaws for perpetrating a terrorism
which destroys matrimonial home. The terrorist is dowry, and it is spreading tentacles
in every possible direction.
With a
view to curb the spiraling number of cases where demand for dowry leads to loss
of life, Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act 1986 brought about sweeping changes
in the penal statutes, and Sections 304-B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in
short the 'IPC') and Section 113B of Indian Evidence Act, 1872 (in short the
'Evidence Act') came to be enforced.
One Sarita
(hereinafter referred to as 'deceased') committed suicide by consuming poison
on 14.4.1999. She was married to accused Surender on 26.11.1995. Other
appellants Hiralal and Angoori Devi were her father-in-law and mother- in-law
respectively. Since the death was unnatural, information was lodged with police
and investigation was undertaken.
Grievance
was made by the family members of deceased that she was subjected to torture
for dowry and that led to her suicide. On completion of investigation,
charge-sheet was placed for alleged commission of offences punishable under
Section 304-B and 498A IPC. Trial was conducted by learned Sessions Judge, New Delhi in Sessions case No. 11/1999 and
the appellants were found guilty under Sections 304-B and 498A read with
Section 34 IPC. They were sentenced to undergo RI for 10 years and fine of
Rs.10,000/- each with default stipulation of SI for one year, and also one year
RI with fine of Rs.5000/- with stipulation of SI for one month for the two
substantive offences respectively. It is relevant to note that for
substantiating the accusations twelve witnesses were examined. Bahadur Singh
(PW-1), Sobha Rani (PW-5), Ratti Ram (PW-10), Manju (PW-11), the father,
brother, cousin brother and sister, respectively of the deceased spoke about
the dowry demands. The testimony was accepted to be truthful and cogent by the
Trial Court.
The
matter was carried in appeal before the Delhi High Court. By the impugned
judgment, learned Single Judge reduced the sentence to 3 years RI instead of 10
years RI in respect of accused-appellants Hiralal and Angoori keeping in view
their old age. The fine imposed was maintained but the default sentence was
reduced to six months, custodial sentence and fine for offences punishable
under Section 498A were maintained. In case of appellant-Surender, the sentence
was reduced to 7 years in respect of first offence, while for the second
offence the sentence was maintained.
In
support of the appeal, learned counsel for the appellants submitted that
ingredients of Section 304-B and 498A are not made out. There was no evidence
regarding any dowry demand. On the contrary it was confirmed that at the time
of marriage there was no demand for dowry. It is of relevance to note that
while deceased was married to accused-Surender, her sister, Manju (PW-11) was
married to Virender, elder brother of Surender. Both the marriages were
solemnized on the same date. It has been accepted by the prosecution witnesses
that there was no demand for valuable articles at any point subsequent to the
marriage in case of Manju. If the demand was made for deceased as alleged,
there is no reason as to why a departure was made in case of her sister. The
evidence of relatives (PW-1, PW- 2, PW-10 and PW11) does not inspire any
confidence. Before the alleged suicide, there were differences between the
deceased and her husband for which allegations were made with the police.
Finally the difference was sorted out by settling that they shall stay
separately from other members of the family. There was a conciliation made by
the officials and the conditions indicated related to separate residence. There
was not even inkling about demand of money or articles. This has been
categorically accepted by both PWs 10 and 11. It is, therefore, submitted that
both Trial Court and the High Court fell in grave error by going into surmises
to convict the appellants.
In
response learned counsel for the State -Govt. of NCT of Delhi, submitted that
the ingredients of the offences have been clearly made out. In any event the
case can be considered in terms of Section 306 IPC.
Section
304-B IPC deals with dowry death reads as follows:
"304-B.
Dowry Death-
(1)
Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs
otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of her marriage
and it is shown that 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 "dowry death"
and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death.
Explanation – For the purpose of this sub-
section 'dowry' shall have same meaning as in Section 2 of the Dowry
Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961).
(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."
The
provision has application when death of a woman is caused by any burns or
bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven
years of her marriage and it is shown that soon before her death she was
subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relatives of her
husband for, or in connection with any demand for dowry. In order to attract
application of Section 304-B IPC, the essential ingredients are as follows:-
(i)
The death of a woman should be caused by burns or bodily injury or otherwise
than under a normal circumstance.
(ii)
Such a death should have occurred within seven years of her marriage.
(iii)She
must have been subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any
relative of her husband.
(iv)
Such cruelty or harassment should be for or in connection with demand of dowry.
(v)
Such cruelty or harassment is shown to have been meted out to the woman soon
before her death.
Section
113-B of the Evidence Act is also relevant for the case at hand. Both Section
304-B IPC and Section 113-B of the Evidence Act were inserted as noted earlier
by the Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act 43 of 1986 with a view to combat the
increasing menace of dowry deaths. Section 113-B reads as follows:-
"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 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 have the same meaning as in Section 304-B of the Indian
Penal Code (45 of 1860)."
The
necessity for insertion of the two provisions has been amply analysed by the
Law Commission of India in its 21st Report dated 10th August, 1988 on 'Dowry Deaths and Law Reform'. Keeping in view the
impediment in the pre- existing law in securing evidence to prove dowry related
deaths, legislature thought it wise to insert a provision relating to
presumption of dowry death on proof of certain essentials. It is in this
background presumptive Section 113-B in the Evidence Act has been inserted. As per
the definition of 'dowry death' in Section 304-B IPC and the wording in the
presumptive Section 113-B of the Evidence Act, one of the essential
ingredients, amongst others, in both the provisions is that the concerned woman
must have been "soon before her death" subjected to cruelty or
harassment "for or in connection with the demand of dowry".
Presumption under Section 113-B is a presumption of law. On proof of the
essentials mentioned therein, it becomes obligatory on the Court to raise a
presumption that the accused caused the dowry death. The presumption shall be
raised only on proof of the following essentials:
(1)
The question before the Court must be whether the accused has committed the
dowry death of a woman. (This means that the presumption can be raised only if
the accused is being tried for the offence under Section 304-B IPC).
(2)
The woman was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his
relatives.
(3)
Such cruelty or harassment was for, or in connection with any demand for dowry.
(4)
Such cruelty or harassment was soon before her death.
A
conjoint reading of Section 113-B of the Evidence Act and Section 304-B IPC
shows that there must be material to show that soon before her death the victim
was subjected to cruelty or harassment. 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 circumstances'. The
expression 'soon before' is very relevant where Section 113-B of the Evidence
Act and Section 304-B IPC are pressed into service. Prosecution is obliged to
show that soon before the occurrence there was cruelty or harassment and only
in that case presumption operates. Evidence in that regard has to be led by
prosecution. 'Soon before' is a relative term and it would depend upon
circumstances of each case and no strait-jacket formula can be laid down as to
what would constitute a period of soon before the occurrence.
It
would be hazardous to indicate any fixed period, and that brings in the
importance of a proximity test both for the proof of an offence of dowry death
as well as for raising a presumption under Section 113-B of the Evidence Act.
The expression 'soon before her death' used in the substantive Section 304-B IPC
and Section 113-B of the Evidence Act is present with the idea of proximity
test.
No
definite period has been indicated and the expression 'soon before' is not
defined. A reference to expression 'soon before' used in Section 114.
Illustration (a) of the Evidence Act is relevant. It lays down that a Court may
presume that a man who is in the possession of goods 'soon after the theft, is
either the thief has received the goods knowing them to be stolen, unless he
can account for his possession. The determination of the period which can come
within the term 'soon before' is left to be determined by the Courts, depending
upon facts and circumstances of each case. Suffice, however, to indicate that
the expression 'soon before' would normally imply that the interval should not
be much between the concerned cruelty or harassment and the death in question.
There must be existence of a proximate and live-link between the effect of
cruelty based on dowry demand and the concerned death. If alleged incident of
cruelty is remote in time and has become stale enough not to disturb mental
equilibrium of the woman concerned, it would be of no consequence.
The
evidence of PWs 1, 5, 10 and 11 shows that at the time of marriage there was no
demand for dowry. But subsequently, the demands were made, and ill-treatments
were meted out. The crucial question is whether they were soon before the
death. PWs 10 and 11 stated that grievances were made before the Crime against
Women Cell and the authorities brought about reconciliation. It however was
candidly admitted that there was no mention about any dowry aspect while the
differences were ironed out. The settlement arrived at on 30.11.1998 was
essentially for separate residence. Therefore, there is no definite evidence
about ill-treatment to the deceased at any time having immediate proximity to
the date of death of the deceased on 14.4.1999 about ill-treatment by the
accused persons to attach culpability under Section 304-B IPC.
Therefore,
the basic requirement of cruelty or harassment soon before the death to bring
application of Section 304-B is absent.
Further
question is whether a case under Section 498-A has been made out, even if
accusations under Section 304-B fail. Section 498-A reads as follows:
"498-A:
Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty- Whoever,
being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such
woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may
extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.
Explanation
– For the purpose of this section 'cruelty' means –
(a) any
wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to
commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health
(whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
(b)
harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or
any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or
valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to
her to meet such demand."
Consequences
of cruelty which are likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or to cause
grave injury or danger to life, limb or health, whether mental or physical of
the woman is required to be established in order to bring home the application
of Section 498-A IPC. Cruelty has been defined in the explanation for the
purpose of Section 498- A. Substantive Section 498-A IPC and presumptive
Section 113-B of the Evidence Act have been inserted in the respective statutes
by Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983. It is to be noted that Sections
304-B and 498-A, IPC cannot be held to be mutually inclusive. These provisions
deal with two distinct offences. It is true that cruelty is a common essential
to both the Sections and that has to be proved. The explanation to Section
498-A gives the meaning of 'cruelty'. In Section 304-B there is no such
explanation about the meaning of 'cruelty'. But having regard to common
background to these offences it has to be taken that the meaning of 'cruelty'
or 'harassment' is the same as prescribed in the Explanation to Section 498-A
under which 'cruelty' by itself amounts to an offence.
Under
Section 304-B it is 'dowry death' that is punishable and such death should have
occurred within seven years of marriage. No such period is mentioned in Section
498-A. A person charged and acquitted under Section 304-B can be convicted
under Section 498-A without that charge being there, if such a case is made
out. If the case is established, there can be a conviction under both the
sections. (See Akula Ravinder and others v. The State of Andhra Pradesh (AIR
1991 SC 1142). Section 498-A IPC and Section 113-B of the Evidence Act include
in their amplitude past events of cruelty. Period of operation of Section 113-B
of the Evidence Act is seven years, presumption arises when a woman committed
suicide within a period of seven years from the date of marriage.
Section
2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (in short 'Dowry Act') defines
"dowry" as under:- Section 2. Definition of 'dowry' – In this Act,
'dowry' means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given
either directly or indirectly –
(a) by
one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or
(b) by
the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either
party to the marriage or to any other person, at or before or any time after
the marriage in connection with the marriage of the said parties, but does not
include dower or mehr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim personal law (Shariat)
applies.
Explanation
I- For the removal
of doubts, it is hereby declared that any presents made at the time of a
marriage to either party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments,
clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning
of this section, unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the
said parties.
Explanation
II- The expression
'valuable security' has the same meaning in Section 30 of the Indian Penal Code
(45 of 1860)." As was observed by this Court in Satvir Singh and Ors. vs.
State of Punjab and Anr. (2001 (8) SCC 633),
"suicidal death" of a married woman within seven years of her
marriage is covered by the expression "death of a woman is caused
.......or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances" as expressed
in Section 304B IPC.
Section
306 IPC deals with abetment of suicide. The said provision reads as follows:
"306:
Abetment of suicide – If any person commits suicide, whoever abets the
commission of such suicide, shall be punished with imprisonment of either
description for a term which may extend to ten years, and shall also be liable
to fine." It may be noted that though no charge was framed under Section
306 IPC that is inconsequential in view of what has been stated by a
three-judge Bench of this Court in K. Prema S. Rao and Anr. vs. Yadla Srinivasa
Rao and Ors. (2003 (1) SCC 217).
On the
facts of the case even though it is difficult to sustain the conviction under
Section 304B IPC, there are sufficient materials to convict the
accused-appellants in terms of Section 306 IPC along with Section 498A IPC.
Custodial
sentence of three years for the offence punishable under Section 306 IPC would
meet the ends of justice. The sentence awarded for offence punishable under
Section 498A by Trial Court and upheld by the High Court is maintained. Both
the sentences relatable to Sections 498A and 306 IPC shall run concurrently.
It may
be noted here that the High Court had reduced the sentence to three years from
10 years in case of accused –appellant Hiralal and Angoori Devi, while
upholding their conviction under Section 304B IPC. It is unfortunate that the
High Court failed to notice that the minimum sentence for offence punishable
under Section 304B is seven years in terms of sub-section (2) thereof.
Since
the appellants 1 and 2 were released on bail pursuant to the order dated
25.10.2002, they shall surrender to serve out the remainder of the sentence, if
not already served. The appeal is disposed of accordingly.
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