RAKESH CHAND vs STATE OF PUNJAB

The Supreme Court held that for a conviction under Section 304-B IPC, the demand for dowry must be made soon before the death of the deceased. The Court found that the only demand attributed to the appellants was from the year 2000, which did not satisfy the requirement of proximity to the death. Consequently, the Court set aside the convictions under Section 304-B IPC and Section 201 IPC, acquitting the appellants due to lack of evidence linking them to the alleged dowry demand or the subsequent actions.