New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) Upholding the life imprisonment of a man who killed his wife with a wooden rolling pin used for making rotis, the Delhi High Court said the accused was aware the attack would prove fatal.

A division bench of Justices Pradeep Nandrajog and Suresh Kait said: 'He who repeatedly hits his wife on the head with a 'belan' would certainly be (having) knowledge that his acts would result in the death of the victim.'

On Sep 7, 2005, Rajesh hit Kavita after a row. He was convicted for murder and dowry death and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Dismissing Rajesh's plea for leniency, the judges said: 'The testimonies of three witnesses prove Rajesh killed his wife mercilessly.'

According to the prosecution, when witnesses went to Kavita's house, they saw Rajesh hitting Kavita and striking her against the floor. She was crying and bleeding.

Kavita was declared dead at the hospital. After that, Rajesh fled.

'The deceased was assaulted to teach her a lesson. There was no robbery. Nothing was stolen from the house,' the court said, holding Rajesh guilty of killing his wife.