A court in Ghaziabad has delivered a significant verdict, sentencing a man to life in prison for the murder of his wife, while clearing him of charges related to dowry harassment and dowry death. The court found the prosecution failed to prove the dowry allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
The Verdict and Charges
On Wednesday, Additional Sessions Judge Vinod Singh Rawat convicted Ravi Gupta, a resident of Sultanpur, under Section 302 (murder) of the Indian Penal Code. The court sentenced him to rigorous life imprisonment and also imposed a fine of Rs 20,000 for the murder of his wife, Damini, which occurred two years ago.
However, in a crucial part of the judgment, the judge acquitted Gupta of offences under IPC sections 498A (cruelty to a married woman) and 304B (dowry death), as well as sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The court ruled that the evidence presented did not establish a clear demand for dowry or harassment directly linked to it.
Background of the Case
The case originated from a complaint filed by Damini's father, Shalikram, at the Loni Border police station on October 3, 2023. He alleged that his daughter was killed by her husband on September 28, 2023, after he failed to fulfill a demand for Rs 5,000 for the Karwa Chauth festival. Based on this complaint, police arrested Ravi Gupta on October 5, 2023, and filed charges including dowry harassment, dowry death, and murder.
Key Evidence and Court Observations
During the trial, the prosecution examined seven witnesses, including the victim's parents, medical experts, and investigating officers. A pivotal testimony came from Head Constable Ravish Kumar, who stated he responded to a domestic disturbance call at the accused's home and found the victim critically injured.
While Damini's parents testified about dowry-related harassment, a discrepancy emerged in their accounts. The mother stated the demand was for Rs 2,000, not Rs 5,000 as initially claimed. This inconsistency ultimately weakened the prosecution's case on the dowry charges.
District Government Counsel Rajesh Chandra Sharma argued that Damini endured sustained mental and physical cruelty, citing 53 injuries found on her body and stating she was strangled to death. The defence counsel successfully countered that the prosecution could not prove a dowry demand or harassment "soon before death," a legal requirement for dowry death charges.
Court's Reasoning for the Murder Conviction
Despite dismissing the dowry charges, the court found overwhelming evidence to uphold the murder conviction. It relied on:
- The autopsy report detailing the fatal injuries.
- Witness testimonies, particularly that of the head constable.
- The conduct of the accused after the incident.
The judge noted that the injuries were inflicted within the privacy of the matrimonial home, facts within the "special knowledge" of the husband. The court heavily criticized Gupta's conduct, observing that he was absent when police arrived, failed to take his injured wife to the hospital, did not inform her parents of her death, and remained missing during her treatment, autopsy, and last rites. The court stated this behavior clearly pointed to his culpability in the homicide.
On these grounds, the court upheld the murder conviction under IPC 302 and sentenced Ravi Gupta to life imprisonment.
