Mysore/Mysuru: The 5th Additional District and Sessions Court of city has sentenced a man to 12 years and six months rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 1.35 lakh after finding him guilty on charges of ‘dowry death.’

The accused, who was convicted, is Chaitrananda, a resident of Devirammanahalli in Nanjangud taluk and the victim is his wife Sowmyashree.

Chaitrananda and Sowmyashree’s was a love marriage. Later, Chaitrananda began to harass his wife for not bringing dowry. Stating that he had debts following construction of a new house, Chaitrananda, who wanted to open a textile shop, began to harass his wife mentally and physically for dowry.

Though he was given 100 grams gold jewellery as dowry, Chaitrananda, saying that even if he sold the jewels, the money got from it was not sufficient to open the shop, began to harass Sowmyashree to sell the land which was in her father’s name and bring Rs. 10 lakh.

Unable to bear the harassment for dowry, Sowmyashree, at about 9.30 am on Dec. 27, 2016, committed suicide by hanging self with a saree to the ceiling fan in Chaitrananda’s house. 

A case was registered against Chaitrananda at Nanjangud Rural Police Station and the then Investigating Officer ASP Mohammed Sujitha, who conducted investigation, had submitted a charge-sheet to the Court.

Judge K.N. Roopa, who took up the case, heard the arguments from both sides, found accused Chaitrananda guilty of the crime and sentenced him to two years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 under IPC Section 498(A). Failing to pay the fine, the convict has to undergo an addition 3 months simple imprisonment.

Chaitrananda is also sentenced 10 years rigorous imprisonment and has to pay a fine of Rs. 1 lakh under IPC Section 304(B). Failing to pay the fine, he has to serve an additional 6 months simple imprisonment.

The Court has also sentenced him to a 6 months rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 10,000 under Dowry Prevention Act. The convict has to undergo an addition one month simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

Public Prosecutor B.E. Yogeshwara argued on behalf of the Government.