Dowry death: RI for woman, son

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, SEPT. 26. A 26-year-old youth and his 45-year-old mother, found guilty of dowry harassment leading to the suicide of the youth's wife, were today sentenced to seven years of rigorous imprisonment by the Assistant Sessions Judge, Mr. Y. Tajudeen Koya.

The court also slapped a fine of Rs 10,000 each on the accused, Sunil Kumar (26) and his mother Vasantha (45). In the event of default of the fine, the accused would have to undergo an additional sentence of one year of imprisonment. The court ordered that in the event of payment the proceeds from the fine be awarded to the victim's mother.

The prosecution case was that Sree Lekha (23) had committed suicide by hanging at her husband's house on the 88th day of her marriage in 1995 after she was driven to desperation owing to harassment in the name of dowry by her husband and mother-in-law.

Sree Lekha was married off with 10 sovereigns of gold and Rs 10,000 as dowry on November 11, 1995. The girl's family had also promised six cents to the groom.

According to the prosecution, Sunil Kumar and Vasantha, found that Sree Lekha had brought as dowry only six sovereigns of gold instead of the promised ten. This discovery led to tensions in the family and Sree Lekha was physically and mentally tortured by her husband and mother-in-law.

The prosecution argued that Sree Lekha had told her plight to her mother and uncle when they visited her at her husband's house. She went committed suicide the very next day.

The prosecution side led by the Public Prosecutor, Mr. Neyyatinkara R. Jayasenan, presented as prosecution witnesses some neighbours who testified to the harassment.

Sunil Kumar's father, who also figured as accused in the case, was acquitted of all charges by the court.

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Section  : Southern States
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