A man was sentenced to nearly 4 years in jail by a Delhi court for compelling his wife to commit suicide
A man has been sentenced to nearly four years in jail by a Delhi court for brutally beating his wife and compelling her to commit suicide.
The court held the man, a south Delhi resident, guilty of offences under IPC but took a lenient view by awarding him a jail term of three years and 10 months, a period already undergone by him behind bars, considering he has a minor son.
According to the police, the woman, who got married to the accused in 2011, was brutally beaten and mentally tortured by him on January 18, 2013 after which she committed suicide by strangling herself with a dupatta.
Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar Jain held the man guilty of offences under sections 498A (cruelty to woman) and 306 (abetment of suicide) while relying on her suicide note and the post mortem report.
"Nature of injuries suffered as reported in post mortem report categorically shows physical cruelty was inflicted on deceased. Accused has not been able to explain the cause of injuries...
"The deceased was found to be brutally beaten just prior to committing suicide, and this willful conduct made her to commit suicide," the judge said.
The convict was, however, released from jail as he had already spent the period behind bars.
It was also alleged by the relatives of the woman that she was pressured for dowry but the court rejected it noting that it was a community marriage where no money is taken from either sides.
"The prosecution though able to prove that victim's death occurred within seven years of marriage under abnormal circumstances, however, is not able to prove that she was subjected to harassment in connection with demand of dowry soon before death. Therefore, offence under section 304B (dowry death) of IPC is not made out against him," the court said.
While deciding the sentence, the court also observed that it needs to be adequate and in consonance with the offence committed.
"It should neither be harsh nor should be light. Striking such a delicate balance is very crucial for a judge," it said.
The court also said, "The deceased was found to have been beaten brutally prior to her committing suicide, and committed suicide within 14 months of her marriage leaving behind a small child, and there is nothing on the record to suggest that deceased was ever treated cordially by accused.
"Thus, presumption could be drawn against the accused that he has abetted the deceased to commit the suicide."