JUDGMENT Per: U.C. Dhyani, J. In the present criminal appeal, criminal law was set into motion at the instance of informant Bhagat Singh Aswal, brother of the deceased. In his complaint (Ext. Ka-5) submitted to Sub Divisional Magistrate, Kotdwar on 26.08.1995, the informant stated that he was working as Rifleman in the Indian Army and was a resident of village Jamal (Dabralsuin). It was also stated that his sister was married to Yogambar Singh s/o Govind Singh, resident of village Teel (Bhawansi), Post Bhawansi, Patti Ajmer (Valla) in the month of April 1993 according to Hindu rites and rituals. It was alleged that one year after her marriage, the sister of the informant was subjected to cruelty by her in-laws for non-fulfillment of demand of dowry and ultimately his sister was told to bring Rs. 50,000/- from her parents and brother. The informant in his complaint stated that being a soldier he could not afford to fulfill such a huge demand and as a result, his sister was done away with on 14.07.1995. His father was forced to put his signatures on some papers under compulsion. Dead body of his sister was cremated on 15.07.1995 by 17 persons without obtaining medical report. The delay in lodging the complaint was also explained by the informant saying that he received the news one month later during his posting at border area and he could reach the village on 20th August only to know from his parents that his sister was done away with for demand of dowry. 2. On the basis of said complaint the Sub Divisional Magistrate directed the Naib Tehsildar and Patwari, Ajmer Valla to lodge an FIR on 26.08.1995 and start investigation of the case. Subsequently an FIR was filed. On the basis of said FIR, chick FIR (Ext. Ka-7) was lodged on 03.09.1995 at 11:00 P.M. and a Case Crime No. 01 of 1995 was registered against accused Govind Singh, wife of Govind Singh, Yogambar Singh, Meharban Singh and 17 others in respect of offences punishable under Section 304-B, 498-A and 201 of IPC. After completing the investigation, the Investigating Officer submitted charge sheet (Ext. Ka-13) against the accused persons in respect of offences punishable under Sections 304-B, 498-A, 201, 386, 120-B of IPC and the other punishable under Section ¾ of the Dowry Prohibition Act. 3. Trial began before learned Addl. Sessions Judge. After completing the investigation, the Investigating Officer submitted charge sheet (Ext. Ka-13) against the accused persons in respect of offences punishable under Sections 304-B, 498-A, 201, 386, 120-B of IPC and the other punishable under Section ¾ of the Dowry Prohibition Act. 3. Trial began before learned Addl. Sessions Judge. Charges against accused Govind Singh, Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh, Meharban Singh and 17 others were framed relating to offences punishable under Sections 498-A / 34, 304-B / 34 and 201 / 149 of IPC to which accused persons pleaded not guilty and claimed trial. On this, prosecution examined P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal, P.W.2 Mahipal Singh, P.W.3 Maal Singh and P.W.4 Anand Prakash Balodi. All the oral and documentary evidence was put to accused persons. Statements of the accused persons under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. were recorded in which they said that the evidence against them was false and they have been falsely implicated in the case. Accused Govind Singh in his statement pleaded that the deceased died of cholera. In defence D.W.1. Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral was produced. 4. After considering the evidence on record, trial court held the accused / appellants Govind Singh, Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh and Meharban Singh guilty for the offences punishable under Sections 304-B and 498-A of IPC. Convict Govind Singh was sentenced to imprisonment for life in respect of offence punishable under Section 304-B of IPC. He was sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years in respect of offence punishable under Section 498-A and a fine of Rs. 5,000/-. It was directed that in default of payment of fine, the convict shall further undergo one year’s imprisonment. Convicts Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh and Meharban Singh were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of seven years in respect of offence punishable under Section 304-B of IPC. They were sentenced to rigorous imprisonment for a period of two years in respect of offence punishable under Section 498-A of IPC and a fine of Rs. 2,000/-. In default of payment of fine, each one of the convicts was directed to further undergo six months’ imprisonment. Aggrieved by said judgment and order dated 18.12.2003 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge / F.T.C., Pauri Garhwal in Sessions Trial No. 07 of 1997, this appeal was preferred by four convicts namely, Govind Singh, Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh and Meharban Singh. 5. Aggrieved by said judgment and order dated 18.12.2003 passed by Addl. Sessions Judge / F.T.C., Pauri Garhwal in Sessions Trial No. 07 of 1997, this appeal was preferred by four convicts namely, Govind Singh, Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh and Meharban Singh. 5. P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal was the lodger of FIR. He said in his examination-in-chief that his sister Manju Devi was married to accused / appellant no. 3 Yogambar Singh on 13th April 1993. This witness was serving in Indian Army during those days. Accused / appellant no. 1 Govind Singh was father-in-law, accused / appellant no. 2 Sushila Devi was mother-in-law, accused / appellant no. 3 Yogambar Singh was husband of the deceased and accused / appellant no. 4 Meharban Singh was the relative of accused nos. 1 to 3 who used to live with them. Accused / appellants started harassing Manju Devi for dowry after one year of marriage. They demanded Rs. 50,000/- for opening a shop for their son. Victim’s father gave Rs. 10,000/- to the father-in-law of victim. Victim has passed Class VIII. She wrote two letters to P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal on 15.05.1995 and 16.06.1995. She narrated and expressed her agony in these letters. P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal proved letters Ext. Ka-1 and Ext. Ka-2 written by his sister along with envelopes Ext. Ka-3 and Ext. Ka-4. This witness replied to his sister. His sister did not send further letter in reply. On 14.07.1995 his father informed this witness that his sister was eliminated by her in-laws for dowry. P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal came back to his house after a month. It took him sometime to come there because he was posted at Siachin border when he received the letter. When this witness came back to his house after seeking permission of the Army officers, his father told him about the incident in detail. On hearing the news of expiry of victim, his father visited the matrimonial house of deceased. She died an unnatural death. Father of this witness lost his mental equilibrium. His father was forced to put his signatures on a compromise letter. Father of this witness did not read the compromise and put in his signatures on it. Accused persons cremated victim’s dead body without having conducted postmortem. Since victim’s father lost his senses, therefore, he did not lodge FIR. 6. Father of this witness lost his mental equilibrium. His father was forced to put his signatures on a compromise letter. Father of this witness did not read the compromise and put in his signatures on it. Accused persons cremated victim’s dead body without having conducted postmortem. Since victim’s father lost his senses, therefore, he did not lodge FIR. 6. When P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal came on leave, he lodged a complaint (Ext. Ka-5) on 26.08.1995. The same was addressed to the Sub Divisional Magistrate, Kotdwar. After giving the complaint, this witness went back to join his duties. The Commandant of his Unit made enquiries about the death of his sister and recorded his statement (Ext. Ka-6). Meharban Singh’s name was added in the list of accused persons because he used to do everything at the behest of Govind Singh and Sushila Devi. Govind, Sushila and Meharban Singh wanted that Yogambar be married elsewhere after abandoning Manju (victim). 7. In his cross examination P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal said that his father sent a letter to him within 3-4 days of death of victim. When he received such letter, he wrote to his superior officer for obtaining leave. After the death of victim his father was in a state of shock and he was unable to move anywhere. His father lost mental equilibrium. After giving the application to Sub Divisional Magistrate regarding this incident, P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal went to Patwari Chowki. He did not go anywhere between 20th August 1995 to 25th August 1995 because he wanted to keep himself abreast with all the facts. He enquired about the incident from Pratap Singh, Ganga Singh Bisht, Surendra Singh, Maal Singh, besides his own family members. Father of this witness was also an ex-army man, aged 50-52 years. This witness proved his complaint Ext. Ka-5, which was addressed to the Sub Divisional Magistrate. Victim came to her parental house one month before her death. She came all alone. Victim’s father dropped her at her matrimonial home. He counselled victim as well as her in-laws not to quarrel. Many other questions were asked in the cross examination of this witness regarding handwriting of papers Ext. Ka-1 and Ext Ka-2 written by victim, but it will be a futile exercise to reproduce those unnecessary details here. She came all alone. Victim’s father dropped her at her matrimonial home. He counselled victim as well as her in-laws not to quarrel. Many other questions were asked in the cross examination of this witness regarding handwriting of papers Ext. Ka-1 and Ext Ka-2 written by victim, but it will be a futile exercise to reproduce those unnecessary details here. No handwriting expert was examined in defence to show that these letters were not in the handwriting of deceased. No such plea was taken in statement under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. either. This witness denied a suggestion on behalf of defence that victim died of cholera. 8. Now, let us look into the contents of letters Ext. Ka-1 and Ext. Ka-2, which were written by victim to her brother Bhagat Singh Aswal. In letter dated 15.05.1995 the victim wrote to her brother as follows: “Respected elder brother, (she conveyed her regards to him) I was glad to receive your letter. Please don’t get annoyed if I could not reply your first letter. There is no special news from my side. I am somehow spending my days by weeping everyday. Brother, you people are unable to do anything now. My destiny was like this. I was bound to weep. I did not disclose anything to you up till now as to how I am spending my days in distress. My parents also might not be knowing how unfortunate their daughter is? I am in great trouble. Brother, my in-laws always tortured me by saying what has been given by the members of your parental home? I am fed up with greedy mother-in-law and father-in-law. Their son (her husband) always supports them. Why should I live now? They ask me to bring Rs. 50,000/- from parental home, as they have to open a shop for their son. They say that there is no dearth of girls in today’s world. Brother, I don’t know for how long I have to spend my life like this (in jail). My mother-in-law gave me beating twice or thrice. I had to bear it with calm. She (mother-in-law) threatened me with dire consequences. Brother, I am writing this letter to you in great compulsion. Father has also not come to see me for long. I will be waiting for your reply. My mother-in-law gave me beating twice or thrice. I had to bear it with calm. She (mother-in-law) threatened me with dire consequences. Brother, I am writing this letter to you in great compulsion. Father has also not come to see me for long. I will be waiting for your reply. Sincerely yours, Your unfortunate sister Manju.” [Note: The above is not the exact transliteration of the letter. It only conveys the meaning] 9. Following are the contents of yet another letter dated 16.06.1995 written by victim to her elder brother: “Respected elder brother, (she conveyed her regards to him) I have been waiting for your letter, but it seems that you too have forgotten me. Brother, these people have started harassing me more. When are you coming on leave? Please do visit my matrimonial home (whenever you come on leave). Brother, I am unable to realize their (in-laws) intentions. I am at loss to understand. They ask me not to speak to anybody in the village. Brother, I have no faith in them. I don’t know what they will be doing to me. Please seek leave and come here at the earliest. Please decide for how long I have to serve my life in this hell. Brother, this is all because of my bad luck. I repent I should have paid heed to (the advice of) brother-in-law (jeejaji). Had I gone by his advice, I would not have to repent so much. (Now) how can I write a letter to him (jeejaji)?……….. Your unfortunate sister Manju” [Note: The above is not the exact transliteration of the letter. It only conveys the meaning] 10. These two letters written by victim show that she was in great distress. She was perturbed by the behaviour and allegations of her in-laws. They were demanding Rs. 50,000/- so that a shop might be opened for her husband. Harassment and torture for dowry was there. She expressly said that her mother-in-law and father-in-law were greedy persons and her husband was also with them. She was pulling on somehow. She was considering her matrimonial home as a jail and she wanted to get rid of the hell. The reason was nothing but ill treatment meted out to her by in-laws and constant harassment for not bringing Rs. 50,000/- to open a shop for her husband. 11. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh was the unfortunate father of the victim. She was considering her matrimonial home as a jail and she wanted to get rid of the hell. The reason was nothing but ill treatment meted out to her by in-laws and constant harassment for not bringing Rs. 50,000/- to open a shop for her husband. 11. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh was the unfortunate father of the victim. He also supported prosecution story. This witness said in his examination-in-chief about the marriage of Manju with Yogambar Singh. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh also said that Meharban Singh was although not a member of the family of Govind Singh but he used to live with them as their relative. Meharban Singh used to plough the fields. Victim’s brother Bhagat Singh was in Army. Whenever Bhagat Singh came on leave he used to meet his sister. Victim Manju Devi disclosed that since her husband was unemployed, therefore her in-laws were demanding Rs. 50,000/- so that a shop could be opened for him. In-laws of the victim threatened that they will arrange second marriage of Yogambar Singh if their demand was not fulfilled. A sum of Rs. 10,000/- was given by P.W.2 Mahipal Singh to the father-in-law of victim in June 1994 in presence of Maal Singh s/o Ganga Singh. The money was paid in P.W.2 Mahipal Singh’s house. Despite the same, the in-laws of victim were not satisfied and continued to harass her. Manju came to her parental home a week before her death. She was frightened as if somebody had beaten her. When enquired from her, she said that her in-laws asked her to bring Rs. 40,000/- or else she need not come back to her matrimonial house. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh went to drop his daughter to her matrimonial home. On 14.07.1995 he was informed that Manju Devi’s father-in-law has died. This witness went to see Govind Singh but was surprised to see that he (Govind Singh) was roaming around. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh apprehended that some wrong must have occurred. When enquired from Bhajan Singh Pradhan, he said that Manju consumed a medicine and committed suicide. When this witness saw the dead body of Manju he became suspicious that she died an unnatural death. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh’s condition became unstable. He lost consciousness. His mind was not working. Govind, Yogambar, Meharban and Satpal surrounded him and asked him to sign over two pieces of paper Ext. Kha-1 and Ext. Kha-2. When this witness saw the dead body of Manju he became suspicious that she died an unnatural death. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh’s condition became unstable. He lost consciousness. His mind was not working. Govind, Yogambar, Meharban and Satpal surrounded him and asked him to sign over two pieces of paper Ext. Kha-1 and Ext. Kha-2. He admitted that he put in his signatures on those papers but the same was done under compulsion (duress). He did not read those papers. When he came back to his house and spoke about killing of Manju Devi, his wife also lost mental equilibrium and remained as such for three months. The report was lodged by his son Bhagat Singh in Tehsil Kotdwar. Bhagat Singh came to his house after a month. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh did not lodge FIR because he was under constant threat. 12. P.W.2 Mahipal Singh was cross examined on behalf of accused persons at great length, but nothing has come in the cross examination which might cast doubt on the testimony of P.W.2 Mahipal Singh. This witness stated that Manju’s husband Yogambar Singh was a plain and simple man. The victim used to live in her matrimonial home under compulsion. Father-in-law of victim had sent the victim to her parental home in order to bring money in dowry. He denied the suggestion put forward on behalf of accused that Manju was perturbed because she had no child and that she died of cholera. He also denied the suggestion that Manju died a natural death. 13. P.W.3 Maal Singh was the witness who said that Manju Devi was married to Yogambar Singh. He also said that Mahipal Singh came to him on 15.06.1994 and demanded Rs. 10,000/- from him. Accordingly, a sum of Rs. 10,000/- was given to Mahipal Singh by P.W.3 Maal Singh. He was not aware of the purpose for which Mahipal Singh took Rs. 10,000/- from him. Although, this witness did not support prosecution story in its entirety, but the fact remains that Rs. 10,000/- were taken by the father of victim from him on 15.06.1994. It was the statement of P.W.2 Mahipal Singh that when Manju said that her in-laws were constantly demanding Rs. 50,000/- for opening a shop for her husband, Rs. 10,000/- were given to victim’s father-in-law. 14. P.W.4 Anand Prakash Balodi, Patwari was posted on 03.09.1995 in the same capacity at Patti Ajmer Valla. It was the statement of P.W.2 Mahipal Singh that when Manju said that her in-laws were constantly demanding Rs. 50,000/- for opening a shop for her husband, Rs. 10,000/- were given to victim’s father-in-law. 14. P.W.4 Anand Prakash Balodi, Patwari was posted on 03.09.1995 in the same capacity at Patti Ajmer Valla. He proved chick FIR (Ext. Ka-7), entry of the same in G.D. (Ext. Ka-8), site plans Ext. Ka-9, Ext. Ka-10 and Ext. Ka-11, letter of S.D.M. (Ext. Ka-12). He also proved charge sheet (Ext. Ka-13) prepared by Naib Tehsildar against the accused persons. P.W.4 Anand Prakash Balodi also proved two letters Ext. Ka-1 and Ext. Ka-2 written by victim to her brother. 15. It is to be noted here that the victim was cremated without having conducted her postmortem, therefore, the question of discussion on postmortem report of the dead body of victim does not arise. 16. D.W.1 Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral who ran a private clinic in Bhawansi, Patti Ajmer Valla, Tehsil Kotdwar, District Pauri Garhwal deposed that victim was suffering from cholera. 17. The presumption of Section 304-B of IPC shall be applicable on proof of the following: i) The question before the court must be whether the accused has committed the dowry death of a woman. ii) The woman was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives. iii) Such cruelty or harassment was for, or in connection with any demand of dowry. iv) Such cruelty or harassment was soon before her death. 18. It has come on record that no postmortem of victim was conducted. She was cremated without having conducted postmortem and that is why the accused persons were charged for the offences punishable under Section 201 / 149 IPC also. Two villagers were also convicted for the offences punishable under Section 201 / 149 IPC whereas the rest were acquitted by learned trial court. Those two villagers are not in appeal before us. Only father-in-law, mother-in-law and husband of deceased along with their relative Meharban Singh are the appellants before us, as they were convicted by learned trial court. 19. Learned Amicus Curiae appearing on behalf of the accused / appellants argued that victim died of cholera. Learned counsel tried to project that the victim died a natural death. Death of victim within seven years of marriage is not in dispute. 19. Learned Amicus Curiae appearing on behalf of the accused / appellants argued that victim died of cholera. Learned counsel tried to project that the victim died a natural death. Death of victim within seven years of marriage is not in dispute. We are unable to countenance with the submission of learned Amicus Curiae that victim died of cholera. The reasons are not far to seek. Cholera is an epidemic. One incident in isolation never takes place. It was in the statement of accused / appellant Govind Singh recorded under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. that victim died of cholera. It has not come in evidence that cholera spread in the area during those days when victim died. There was no evidence on record that in village Bhawansi anyone was suffering from cholera. In other words, no one was suffering from cholera during those days when victim died. It was not evidenced that any qualified doctor was called. D.W.1 Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral who was produced in defence was a private doctor. He was running a private clinic. He appears to be a quack. He deposed in favour of accused persons because villagers were involved. Cholera was something unbelievable and therefore, this court cannot believe that victim died of cholera. D.W.1 Devi Prasad Dabral said that he ran a private clinic in village Bhawansi since 1994. There was a Primary Health Center in Pokhal some 11 Kms. away from Bhawansi. He said that Govind Singh came to him on 14.07.1995 saying that his daughter-in-law was not well. She was complaining of vomiting and dysentery. D.W.1 Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral went to Govind Singh’s house to see his ailing daughter-in-law. Since she was serious, therefore, she was advised to go to Government hospital. Govind Singh’s family members and villagers were making arrangements for taking Manju to Government hospital, but in the meantime she passed away. In the cross examination D.W.1 Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral admitted that he did not prescribe any medicine to Manju, although he had taken Perinorm injection as well as Intraquin and Metazole tablets along with him. Investigating Officer did not record his statement. This witness also admitted that he did not receive any summons from the court (to depose in favour of appellants) and he himself enquired from learned defence counsel about the date fixed in the case. This approach of D.W.1 Dr. Investigating Officer did not record his statement. This witness also admitted that he did not receive any summons from the court (to depose in favour of appellants) and he himself enquired from learned defence counsel about the date fixed in the case. This approach of D.W.1 Dr. Devi Prasad Dabral also suggests that he was there for extending all out help to the villagers. It appears that neither did he prescribe medicine to victim nor did he give treatment to victim. Doctor should have prescribed medicines. Unnatural conduct of doctor was evidenced because he also failed to provide the certificate of death. 20. Therefore, this court agrees with the finding of the learned trial court that the victim died within seven years of marriage in unnatural circumstances. 21. Learned Amicus Curiae appearing on behalf of the accused / appellants further argued that FIR was delayed by 43 days. The factual position in this respect is undoubtedly correct, but we will have to look into the fact whether prosecution has been able to satisfactorily explain the delay or not? 22. Evidence has it that the father of victim lost his senses and lost the mental equilibrium on coming to know about the sad demise of his daughter. When he informed the same to his wife (mother of victim) she also lost equilibrium of mind and was like a woman required to be sent to mental hospital. Both mother and father used to depend on their son who was serving in Army. The importance of son could be gathered from the fact that it was he, to whom the victim wrote letters and expressed her distress. It has also come on evidence that when brother of victim received a letter of his father after about a month intimating him about the sad demise of his sister, he was posted in Siachin border. He sought leave of his higher ups, obtained the leave, came back to his house, tried to know what in fact happened and after being satisfied that his sister was killed on account of dowry, submitted a complaint to local Sub Divisional Magistrate. One month plus few days were spent in coming from border to his house and the other few days were spent in gathering the facts. One month plus few days were spent in coming from border to his house and the other few days were spent in gathering the facts. In other words, 30 plus 6 days were explained the moment the brother of deceased said that it took him sometime to apply for leave, obtain leave and coming back to his house. Thus 36 days’ delay was explained straight away. The next question arose how did he explain other seven days’ delay in lodging FIR. Brother of the deceased enquired about the consent letter which was obtained by force from his father and that was how seven days’ delay in lodging FIR was explained. Thus total 43 days delay in moving complaint was satisfactorily and properly explained. 23. There is yet another aspect of the matter. Everything is to be adjudged by the court from the viewpoint of a reasonable prudent person. If victim really died a natural death, where was the question of obtaining consent of father of victim? The accused / appellants took the signatures of the father of victim so that victim could be cremated without having her postmortem done. The consent letter was given by the father of victim because he lost the courage and also lost the will to fight it out because of his mental state after the death of his daughter. The same was unbelievable, for a reasonable person will never take recourse to such consent letter. It is nowhere seen that if a death is caused in natural circumstances, a consent letter is obtained from the parents of victim so that the victim may be cremated in cremation ground without conducting postmortem. It is the law of nature that dead body cannot be kept somewhere. Ultimately it has either to be cremated or buried according to victim’s religious rites. A Hindu has to go to ghat or crematorium. Dead body of a Muslim has to be buried in burial ground. These are the hard facts of life. One does not go to the parents of a victim to obtain ‘no objection’ for disposing of dead body. Creation of consent letter created the trouble for appellants. Not only that they obtained such consent but also gave a copy of consent letter to the father of the victim and thereby they invited whole trouble for them. One does not go to the parents of a victim to obtain ‘no objection’ for disposing of dead body. Creation of consent letter created the trouble for appellants. Not only that they obtained such consent but also gave a copy of consent letter to the father of the victim and thereby they invited whole trouble for them. There was no explanation offered in statement under Section 313 of Cr.P.C. as to why they did the same. Had it been a natural death in natural circumstances, there was no question of dispute, but since it was death under unnatural circumstances, therefore, the whole trouble arose. Nobody has ever heard that in an assemblage in villages or in towns when somebody dies a natural death, such a consent letter is taken from bride’s parents. The conduct of appellants was unnatural. Further, it has not come on record that the appellants reported the matter of death of victim to Registrar of Deaths. The dead body was only to be cremated in crematorium. The appellants could not have burnt the dead body outside crematorium like uncivilized people. 24. So far as cruelty for demand for dowry was concerned, the same was depicted not only in the oral evidence of victim’s father and brother, but also by way of documentary evidence, as projected through letters Ext. Ka-1&Ext.Ka-2, which were written by the victim to her brother Bhagat Singh Aswal during her life time. 25. It has been indicated in the course of discussion above that P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal, the unfortunate brother of the deceased, said that his sister was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband and her in-laws. Such cruelty / harassment was in connection with the demand of dowry (for not bringing Rs. 50,000/-). They used to beat his sister. Such demand continued and persisted till (soon before) her death. His testimony was corroborated by the oral evidence of other witnesses and documentary evidence in the form of letters. 26. It has come on record that the victim died otherwise than under normal circumstances a week hence after her return from parental home to the matrimonial home. Therefore there were elements of cruelty / harassment meted out to her soon before her death. The ingredients of dowry death have been corroborated by P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal, P.W.2 Mahipal Singh and fully established by two letters Ext. Ka-1 and Ext. Therefore there were elements of cruelty / harassment meted out to her soon before her death. The ingredients of dowry death have been corroborated by P.W.1 Bhagat Singh Aswal, P.W.2 Mahipal Singh and fully established by two letters Ext. Ka-1 and Ext. Ka-2 written by the victim to her brother. It was not the case of the accused (defence) that the victim committed suicide. They had taken up a wrong plea that she died of cholera. It was fully proved by the prosecution beyond reasonable doubt that the victim died an unnatural death. It may be noticed here that victim was young woman when such atrocity was committed on her. The facts and circumstances thus made available on record including documentary evidence in the form of letters fully establish the following: i) Cruelty / harassment was meted out to victim by her husband and in-laws. ii) Such cruelty or harassment was for not bringing a sum of Rs. 50,000/-. iii) Such cruelty or harassment started after a year of marriage, continued or persisted soon before victim’s death. Thus there is no escape for the accused / appellants in as much as prosecution has been able to bring home the guilt of dowry death against the accused / appellants to the hilt. 27. For the foregoing reasons as discussed above, the appeal has no force and the same is liable to be dismissed. The appeal is hereby dismissed. Conviction and sentence recorded by the trial court against the accused / appellants Govind Singh, Sushila Devi, Yogambar Singh and Meharban Singh in respect of charge of offences punishable under Sections 304-B and 498-A of IPC are thus affirmed. The accused / appellants are on bail. Their bail is cancelled. They are directed to surrender before the Court to serve out the sentence awarded to them. A copy of the Judgment be sent to the Court concerned to make the accused / appellants serve out the sentence awarded to them. Let lower court record be sent back for ensuring compliance of the order.