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Issues Involved
1. Prosecution Version of the Occurrence 2. Motive 3. Dying Declarations 4. Medical Evidence 5. Conduct of the Accused 6. Investigation 7. Conclusion Detailed Analysis 1. Prosecution Version of the Occurrence The prosecution alleged that Sudha was set on fire by her mother-in-law, Shakuntala, with kerosene, and that her husband, Laxman, and brother-in-law, Subhash, were complicit. The trial court accepted this version, convicting the accused and sentencing them to death. However, the High Court acquitted the accused, questioning the reliability of the prosecution witnesses and the lack of direct evidence. 2. Motive The prosecution argued that Sudha was subjected to harassment and demands for dowry by her in-laws, which led to her murder. The High Court, however, found that the relationship between Sudha and her in-laws was not strained, citing letters that showed cordial relations. The Supreme Court disagreed, noting evidence of demands for dowry and mistreatment, especially during Sudha's pregnancy. 3. Dying Declarations Sudha made several oral dying declarations implicating her mother-in-law and husband. The High Court questioned the consistency and reliability of these declarations. A written dying declaration was also recorded by a police officer, but its authenticity was doubted due to procedural lapses. The Supreme Court found the oral declarations credible for corroborative purposes but rejected the written declaration due to inconsistencies and lack of proper attestation. 4. Medical Evidence The medical evidence confirmed that Sudha suffered 70% burns. The prosecution argued that the burns were consistent with kerosene being poured on her and set alight. The defense claimed it was an accidental fire from a kerosene stove. The Supreme Court found the prosecution's version more plausible, noting that Sudha's advanced pregnancy made it unlikely she would squat to light a stove, and there was no evidence the gas stove was not functional. 5. Conduct of the Accused The conduct of the accused at the time of the incident was scrutinized. The prosecution witnesses testified that the accused were indifferent and did not help extinguish the fire. The High Court questioned the credibility of these witnesses, but the Supreme Court found their testimonies trustworthy, noting that the neighbors' spontaneous response was inconsistent with any alleged animosity towards the accused. 6. Investigation The High Court criticized the investigation, particularly the recording of the dying declaration by a police officer instead of a magistrate or doctor. The Supreme Court agreed that the investigation had procedural flaws but emphasized that the oral dying declarations and other evidence were sufficient to establish guilt. 7. Conclusion The Supreme Court concluded that the relationship between Sudha and her in-laws was strained due to dowry demands and mistreatment. It found that Sudha's death was not accidental but a result of intentional burning by her mother-in-law and husband. While the High Court's acquittal of Subhash was upheld due to insufficient evidence of his direct involvement, Shakuntala and Laxman were convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment instead of the death penalty, considering the time elapsed since their acquittal and other mitigating factors. Separate Judgments The judgment does not indicate separate judgments by different judges; hence, it is presented as a unified decision by the Supreme Court.
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