Daijiworld Media Network - Beltangady (SP)

Beltangady, Feb 26: The court here, which heard a case of dowry harassment, handed down three years imprisonment to the husband and mother-in-law of the petitioner, after holding them guilty. The complainant is from Kelagina Puriya Mane in Maladi village in the taluk.

Hemavathi, who said she had suffered at the hands of her husband and his mother, had approached the court for justice. Her husband, Rajendra, and mother-in-law, Lolakshi, have been imprisoned.

Hemavathi had married Rajendra ten years back. As her husband and his mother were regularly harassing her to bring more dowry, she had filed complaint in Punjalkatte police station. The case had earlier been heard by Beltnagady court but the parties had agreed to close the case with mutual understanding. But, even after Hemavathi was taken back home, it is said, she was assaulted and continued to face harassment and death threats.

After Hemavathi went to the police station again, sub-inspector Lathesh Kumar, filed a charge sheet in the court. Judge of the court Sathish K G, found that the charges levelled against the defendants had been proved and handed down the two jail terms of two yeas and one year respectively.

Fine of Rs 10,000 has also been imposed. Failure to pay fine will entail another month of jail sentence. Rs 5,000 by way of additional fine was also imposed under Section 506 with the condition that the guilty have to undergo another month in jail if they fail to pay this fine. The judgement also said that one lac rupees has to be paid to Hemavathi in the form of compensation.

Assistant public prosecutor, Divyaraj, had argued the case on behalf of the prosecution.