Dowry case: Husband accused of physical and mental cruelty sentenced

Udupi: A man accused of harassing his wife for dowry was awarded imprisonment and fines by Udupi 3rd additional chief judicial magistrate and JMFC court on Tuesday, December 18.

The accused Ravi Roshan Nazareth from Kodihitlu in Shirva had married Anitha Justin Mendonca h on January 14, 2013. Apparently, the accused had demanded twenty sovereign gold ornaments as dowry at the time of the wedding and the bride’s family had acceded to his demands.

But, since the marriage, the accused Ravi in cahoots with his sister Lena Nazareth kept abusing the wife Anitha by giving mental and physical torture and demanding that she get Rs 3 lakh from her parents. Apparently Lena, who is the second suspect in the case was instigating Ravi for the crimes.

Anitha lodged a private complaint with the police. As per court orders, the then Shirva station sub inspector Ashok P conducted investigations and submitted a charge sheet to court under anti dowry harassment act column 3 and 4.

The Judge at Udupi 3rd additional chief judicial magistrate court and JMFC court heard the arguments of witnesses and verified evidences, concluded that the crime against the suspect is proved.

The sentence

In  his judgment the Justice Ram Prashanth sentenced Ravi to two years imprisonment under column 498(a) and fine of Rs 5,000, six months imprisonment and fine of Rs 5,000 under column 504, another six months imprisonment and Rs 5,000 fine under section 506 and three years’ imprisonment and Rs 10,000 fine under anti dowry harassment act. If he fails to pay up the fines, he will be subjected to one month of additional imprisonment.