In Brief
A man married in 1994 was convicted of murdering his wife, Rukmini Bai, in 1995 by pouring kerosene oil on her body and setting her on fire. The Sessions Judge had acquitted him, but the High Court reversed the acquittal. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, finding evidence that the appellant repeatedly demanded money from his wife while drunk, ill-treated and assaulted her, and ultimately caused her death. The Court rejected the defence claim of an accidental fire, noting the kerosene oil found on the body, the presence of a kerosene bottle, and burn patterns inconsistent with an accident. The credible testimony of the deceased's parents and relatives proved both dowry harassment under Section 498A and murder under Section 302 IPC.", <parameter name="cited_cases">[]
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