High Court acquits three in-laws on benefit of doubt in wife's 'murder'

Observing that when a dying declaration is the sole basis of conviction it must not suffer from infirmities, Calcutta High Court, extending the benefit of doubt, set aside life sentences and acquitted three in-law members accused of burning the wife to death.

- SOUMYADIP MULLICK

KOLKATA:

The bench of Justice Joymalya Bagchi and Justice Gaurang Kanth was moved by the convicts (the mother-in-law, brother-in-law and brother-in-law's wife). The husband and other in-laws were acquitted. The prosecution's case was based on the written dying declaration of the victim (wife) who allegedly told the Block Development Officer (BDO) that her husband and in-laws poured kerosene and set her on fire. The father of the victim had lodged a police complaint against the husband and other in-laws.