In Brief
Rukmini Bai, married to the appellant (a police constable) on 4 June 1994, died from severe burn injuries on 2 October 1995 within 17 months of marriage. The appellant was acquitted by the Sessions Judge but the High Court reversed the acquittal and convicted him under Sections 498-A (dowry harassment) and 302 (murder) IPC, sentencing him to life imprisonment. The Supreme Court upheld the conviction, finding credible evidence from the deceased's parents and relatives establishing that the appellant had repeatedly demanded dowry, ill-treated her, and caused her death by pouring kerosene and setting her ablaze—not an accident as claimed.
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