Hanmant Dada Bhosale, a resident of NOCIL naka slums in Thane-Belapur industrial belt, was found guilty of burning his wife Ranjana on November 18, 1988. They were married in 1985 and a few days after later the accused had started illtreating his wife allegedly because Ranjana's parents failed to give a gold ring they had promised earlier.

About seven months before Ranjana's death, Hanmant took her to her parents home in Andheri. She stayed for over a month after which he produced a divorce document and sough a separation from her. However, after elders assured to sort out the matter she was sent to Thane.

The relations did not improve. After a quarrel on November 18, 1988 Hanmant poured kerosene on Ranjana, set her on fire and fled from the scene. Alarmed neighbours extinguished the fire and took Ranjana to a private hospital whereshe died four days later.

Thane additional session judge R G Janbandhu relied on Ranjana's dying declaration and found the accused guilty of charges under section 498A and 302 of the IPC and sentenced him to life imprisonment.