1 appln 451 of 2010 vks IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION CRIMINAL APPLICATION NO.451 OF 2010 The State of Maharashtra .. Applicant -versus Nivrutti Laxman Chougule and anr .. Respondents. Mr. S.A. Shaikh, APP for the Applicant. CORAM: R.C. CHAVAN, J. DATED: 5th July, 2011 P.C. 1. This is an application for leave to file appeal against acquittal of the respondents ordered by the learned Additional Sessions Judge, Gadhinglaj, for the offence punishable under Section 498-A and 306 of the Indian Penal Code. The victim was married to respondent No.1 about 10 years before the incident took place on 3rd March, 2008. She had three daughters of the said marriage. All the allegations about illtreamtment have surfaced only after her death by drowning in a river. The possibility of accidental fall in the river has not been ruled out. There are discrepant versions from the prosecution witnesses as to whether the respondent No.1 was demanding a sum of Rs.25,000/- or Rs.5,000/-. There is also allegation that the victim used to be illtreated by respondent No.1 as respondent No.1 wanted to take another wife and wanted the victim to give consent. Thus, the prosecution itself 2 appln 451 of 2010 seems to be not decided as to whether illtreatment is about unfulfilled unlawful demand of Rs.25,000/- or Rs.5,000/- or because respondent No.1 wanted to take another wife. The learned Judge, therefore, rightly held the allegations which have surfaced after the incident are not reliable and refused to believe the prosecution story and acquitted the respondent. No fault can be found in the reasons recorded by the learned Judge. Leave refused. Appeal dismissed. (R. C. CHAVAN, J.)