State of Maha v. Pradeep Shankarrao Paratkar
Case brief
What is this about?
Bombay High Court, Aurangabad Bench; Criminal Appeal No.560 of 2003; State of Maharashtra v. Pradeep Shankarrao Paratkar; decided 25.09.2025; per Sandipkumar C. More, J. State appeal against acquittal under Section 302 IPC dismissed; acquittal upheld. Wife Chanda died of poisoning 12.02.2001; FIR Crime No.13/2001 (Sections 302, 498-A r/w 34 IPC) alleging dowry/cruelty harassment (Rs. 10,000/- shop demand) and murder; trial before Sessions Judge, Nanded, Sessions Case No. 63 of 2011; impugned judgment 10.04.2003. Postmortem Exh.52 column 17: no external injuries; inquest panchnama Exh.45: no injuries; FIR Exh.32 recorded consumption of poison; Court inferred suicide due to ill-treatment; no evidence respondent administered poison; respondent already underwent two-year RI plus Rs.500/- fine under Section 498-A IPC conviction. Keywords: appeal against acquittal, homicidal vs suicidal death, poisoning, no external injuries, benefit of doubt, Section 302 IPC, Section 498-A IPC.