Mangaluru (The Hindu): The Principal District and Sessions Court here on Friday convicted a man on the charge of abetment to suicide based on his wife’s dying declaration.
According to the charge sheet filed by Kavoor police, 25-year-old Pushpa died of burns at her house in Malemar near Derebail on May 27, 2012.
Pushpa, a resident of Bagalkot, was married to Sabanna Chalavadi, a resident of the same district.
The two were living in a rented house in Malemar near here.
The charge sheet said that Chalavadi frequently quarrelled with his wife suspecting her fidelity.
On May 27, 2012, Chalavadi had a fight with Pushpa and the latter threatened of ending her life if he continued with his behaviour.
Around noon, Pushpa poured kerosene and set herself ablaze. She was taken to a private hospital near Kuntikana junction with 55 per cent burns.
Pushpa died on June 2, 2012. Before her death, Pushpa gave a statement to the police in which she mentioned about the harassment by her husband. This statement was recorded after the doctor treating Pushpa certified that she was in a good mental state to give a statement.
During the trial, senior public prosecutor Pushparaja Adhyantaya relied on the dying declaration.
He also administered the evidence of the doctor, who treated Pushpa and the head constable, who recorded her statement. Pushpa’s parents, her brother and other relatives turned hostile before the court.
Judge Uma M.G. on Friday found Sabanna Chalavadi guilty under Sections 306 (abetment to suicide) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of Indian Penal Code.
The judge will pronounce the punishment on March 11.
