In Brief
A woman died by consuming pesticide eight months into her marriage. Her father alleged that her husband and mother-in-law subjected her to prolonged mental and physical cruelty by demanding Rs.25,000 and beating her when the demand was not met, driving her to suicide. The trial and high courts convicted them under Sections 306 and 498A IPC. The Supreme Court upheld the convictions, holding that Section 113-A of the Evidence Act properly applies: once cruelty is proven and suicide occurs within seven years of marriage, the court may presume abetment unless rebutted. Family testimony was reliable and consistent. No credible evidence rebutted the presumption. Conviction affirmed.
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