In Brief
Jatinder Kumar was convicted of causing his wife's death through dowry-related cruelty under Sections 304-B and 498-A IPC after she consumed aluminium phosphide poison. The High Court acquitted his co-accused (mother and brothers) but upheld his conviction. The Supreme Court dismissed his appeal, holding that the evidence from his wife's family members clearly established his continuous demands for money (for a car and clinic expansion) and harassment in connection with dowry. The Court rejected his defence attributing her suicide to depression and depression related to unrelated family deaths. The Court held that the appellant, as the direct beneficiary and husband, bore primary responsibility for the torture, distinguishing his culpability from that of the co-accused.
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