In Brief
Virender Pal was convicted of dowry death (Section 304-B IPC) after his wife Punita died under unnatural circumstances 15 months after marriage. Punita was repeatedly harassed and beaten for additional dowry, and called her brother hours before her death expressing fear. The defence claimed she either accidentally fell or committed suicide due to knee pain. The Supreme Court upheld conviction, finding the defence narratives contradictory and unsubstantiated. Post-mortem revealed massive brain injuries from violence. Consistent witness testimony and the statutory presumption under Section 113-B of the Evidence Act supported conviction. Appeal dismissed; appellant directed to surrender within four weeks.
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