2024 INSC 1011
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Reportable
IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION
Criminal Appeal No. 815 of 2022
Ashok Verma …. Appellant(s)
Versus
The State of Chhattisgarh …Respondent(s)
J U D G M E N T
C.T. RAVIKUMAR, J.
1. This appeal is directed against the judgment of the
High Court of Chhattisgarh in Criminal Appeal No.845 of
2013 whereby and whereunder it confirmed the
conviction of the appellant under Sections 300 of the
Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short the “IPC”) punishable
under Section 302, IPC, 201 and 498A of the IPC, in
Sessions Trial No. 147 of 2012 and the sentences imposed
therefor.
2. Shortly stated, the prosecution case is as
hereunder: -
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The marriage between the appellant-convict and
the deceased Smt. Pushpa was solemnised in the year
2006. The incident which led to the conviction of the
appellant in connection with the death of Smt. Pushpa
occurred on 26.01.2012 at his house, which is the
matrimonial home of the deceased. The paternal home
of the deceased is also proximately situated viz., around
50 meters from her matrimonial home. The appellant is
addicted to gambling and to lash out money therefor, he
used to torture her physically and mentally. He had
even mortgaged the jewellery of the deceased for the
said purpose. The deceased used to share such
sorrowful incidents with PW-8 Aarti, who is...