Auto driver sentenced to life imprisonment for dowry death | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: The stable statements from witnesses, police investigation, and circumstantial evidence corroborated helped in clinching life imprisonment for a 30-year-old auto driver, facing charges of abetting the suicide of his wife, a homemaker through dowry harassment. The convict is Anil N alias Anil Kumar of Maralawadi Town in Kanakapura. Harohalli police had arrested Anil in May 2020 after his wife, R Ashwini, 23, died by suicide. A mother of three children, including a special child, Ashwini married her long-time friend Anil Kumar despite her family’s opposition.However, Anil started harassing Ashwini for dowry. He was also accused of having an affair with another woman. Anil was beating up Ashwini regularly over trivial issues. Depressed over his harassment, Ashwini hung herself inside her house on May 14, 2020. The previous night, Ashwini’s neighbours had called her parents, saying Anil was badly beating her over dowry issues.Ashwini’s father, Rajanna, a farmer, filed a complaint, stating: “Already we gave the couple over 70 grams of gold ornaments. Still, Anil was beating her up for more dowry.” Harohalli cops arrested Anil after booking him under the IPC section 304B (dowry death).While submitting the chargesheet to court, police added statements from individuals who had, on many occasions, advised Anil not to ill-treat Ashwini and beat her up for dowry. Public prosecutor MK Roopalakshmi told TOI that the chargesheet witnesses, who had seen Ashwini’s ordeals, stood firm during the trial. “Ashwini’s parents, her neighbours, and others made statements during the entire trial. Also, the circumstantial evidence mentioned by the police during investigation played a vital role in convicting Anil,” she said.Another police officer said they explained to the court how Anil neglected his three children after Ashwini’s death. “The children are looked after by Ashwini’s parents. Not even one day did Anil visit them or enquired about them. This matter was brought to the court’s notice to explain Anil’s attitude,” he said.Anil, who was out on bail, was present in the court when Judge Kumar HN from additional district and sessions court, Ramanagar, passed the orders. Also, the court slapped a fine of Rs 35,000. Anil is shifted to the district prison.