Mysore/Mysuru: City’s 5th Additional District and Sessions Court, holding a man responsible for his wife’s death following dowry harassment, has sentenced him to 12 years rigorous imprisonment besides imposing a fine of Rs. 1.25 lakh on him.

The man who was sentenced is H.R. Lokesh, a resident of Vijayanagar 1st Stage in city.

Lokesh had married Usharani, daughter of T. Siddaramaiah on Nov. 14, 2011 and he was given Rs. 2 lakh cash, 100 grams gold jewellery and silver articles as dowry at the time of marriage.

But he began to harass Usharani physically and mentally to get Rs. 50,000 from his parents as he wanted to do business. Depressed over her husband’s harassment, Usharani hanged herself to the ceiling fan of the house with her veil between 11.45 pm on May 6, 2014 and 4.30 am on May 7.

A case was registered at Vijayanagar Police Station and the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) K.N. Madaiah, who conducted an 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 Lokesh guilty and sentenced him to two years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 25,000 under IPC Section 498(A). Lokesh has to undergo an additional three months simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

The Judge again sentenced him to 10 years rigorous imprisonment and imposed a fine of Rs. 1 lakh under IPC Section 304(B). The convict has to undergo an additional six months simple imprisonment if he fails to pay the fine.

The then Public Prosecutor B.E. Yogeshwar and present Public Prosecutor A.N. Madhu argued on behalf of  the Government.