Mysore/Mysuru: City’s 5th Additional District and Sessions Court sentenced a man and his mother to rigorous imprisonment besides imposing a fine on them after finding them guilty of harassment leading to a woman committing suicide.

Those convicted are Ranganath and his mother Gowramma, residents of Benaganahalli village in K.R. Nagar taluk, while the deceased is C.N. Roopa, wife of Ranganath, a native of Chapparadahalli village in Periyapatna taluk.

Roopa was given in marriage to Ranganath in the year 2000 during which Rs. 70,000 cash and 100 grams gold was given as dowry. The couple has a son. But since a year, Ranganath was addicted to vices (bad habits) and used to spend all the money earned through farming. His mother Gowramma used to abuse Roopa, deny food and water and used to harass Roopa physically and mentally besides asking her to bring more dowry from her parents and doubting her character.

On Mar. 15, Roopa had been to her native place to attend the last rites of her relative and when she returned her husband abused her for not bringing dowry and told her to go and hang self besides quarrelling with her that night.

The next day (Mar. 16) between 11 am and 12 noon, Roopa hanged herself to death to the beam of the house using a wire.

Police investigation revealed that Ranganath had utilised the dowry money for his own following which a case was registered against Ranganath and his mother Gowramma at K.R. Nagar Police Station and the then Inspector H.N. Siddaiah, who had completed the investigation had submitted a charge sheet to the Court.

Judge K.N. Roopa, after hearing the arguments from both sides, found Ranganath and Gowramma guilty and sentenced them to two years rigorous imprisonment under Section 498(A) r/w 34 of the IPC besides imposing a fine of Rs. 10,000 each. Failing to pay the fine, both the accused should serve an additional six months simple imprisonment.

The Judge also sentenced Ranganath to 5 years rigorous imprisonment & imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 and Gowramma was sentenced to 3 years rigorous imprisonment & a fine of Rs. 10,000 under Section 306 r/w 34 of the IPC. Failing to pay the fine, convicts will have to serve 6 months simple imprisonment.

Public Prosecutor A.N. Madhu argued on behalf of the Government.