Supreme Court of India

Kans Raj v State of Punjab

decided 2000-04-26 (reporter citation not confirmed)20001 min read
The case in brief30-second read
Facts
A young wife died within seven years of marriage after dowry demands; the trial court convicted, the High Court acquitted, and her father appealed.
Issue
What 'soon before her death' means in S.304B IPC.
Held
'Soon before' is a relative term with no fixed time limit; it does not mean immediately before. There must be a proximate and live link between the dowry-related cruelty and the death, which is not shown if the harassment had become stale.
Principle
For dowry death, cruelty must have a live and proximate link with the death.
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Facts

  • A young wife died within seven years of marriage after dowry demands; the trial court convicted, the High Court acquitted, and her father appealed.

Issue

  1. What 'soon before her death' means in S.304B IPC.

Held

  • 'Soon before' is a relative term with no fixed time limit; it does not mean immediately before. There must be a proximate and live link between the dowry-related cruelty and the death, which is not shown if the harassment had become stale.

Cite this

Citation

Kans Raj v State of Punjab decided 2000-04-26 (reporter citation not confirmed)

Reported: https://api.sci.gov.in/jonew/judis/17435.pdf ; https://indiankanoon.org/doc/1263837/. This is an educational summary, not the judgment itself. Cite the reported version in professional or academic work.