Ara court sentences man to 10 yrs’ RI, father 7 yrs’ RI in dowry death case

Kumar Rajiv Nayan

Ara : Additional District and Sessions Judge II, Ara, Harshit Singh, on April 17, 2019, sentenced to 10 years’ rigorous imprisonment (RI) Ranjit Singh and 7 years’ rigorous imprisonment to his father Sri Bhagwan Singh in connection with murder of Babali Kumari, Ranjit’s wife, for dowry, 15 years ago. Police had earlier acquitted them.

Advocate Suryanath Tiwary said that Tetara Kuer of Ben village under Udwantnagar police station had married her daughter Babali Kumari to Ranjeet Singh, son of Sri Bhagwan Singh of Kharauni village under Bihia police station in Bhojpur district, but her in-laws allegedly burnt her to death on October 20, 2003, for dowry. A named FIR was lodged with Bihia police station against Ranjit, his father Sri Bhagwan Singh, and others.

Advocate Tiwary said that Bbali Kumari’s  in-laws had demanded a motorcycle, colour TV, and Honda Generator set and when their demands were not fulfilled, they allegedly burnt her to death. The advocate said that the police, after investigation, had given a clean chit to the accused and acquitted all of them. But , the court  ordered to hear protest complaint and  after verification it had ordered for lodging a named FIR  against the accused in this connection.

After hearing, the court found Ranjeet Singh and Sri Bhagwan Singh guilty of killing Babali Kumar, Advocate Tiwary said.