Thirteen years after a man caused the death of his newly-wed wife by rash driving, a city court has awarded him a two-year-jail term. Holding Nangloi-resident Rajesh Gupta guilty of rash driving, Additional Sessions Judge (ASJ) Virender Kumar Goyal sentenced him to two years’ imprisonment. The court also imposed a fine of Rs. 7 lakh on Gupta saying, if realised, the amount should be given as compensation to the victim’s parents.

On August 15, 1999 night Gupta, who was on his way to Delhi with 22-year-old Geeta, rammed his car into a stationary tanker on Rohtak Road. Both Geeta and Gupta were taken to hospital where the woman was declared brought dead while he was discharged after treatment. Gupta had married Geeta just a month before the mishap.

Gupta and his family were facing trial for allegedly harassing the victim demanding Rs. 10 lakh from her family to start a business. The court acquitted them saying the police had failed to prove that the victim was treated with cruelty and was harassed for dowry.

The court refused to release Gupta on probation saying that the victim's parents have suffered a lot due to the death of their daughter.

Seeking a lenient view, Gupta had submitted that he has to support his wife, whom he married after the death of Geeta, and two children and aged mother. He also said he has suffered the agony of trial since for 13 years.