The court emphasized the importance of following the prescribed procedure and guidelines in cases involving allegations of harassment for dowry and directed the police to do so.

JUDGMENT

Lalitha Kanneganti, J. - This petition is filed under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short "Cr.P.C.") seeking pre arrest bail by the petitioners/accused No.1 to 5 in the event of their arrest in connection with Crime No.67 of 2021 of Narasaraopeta II-Town police station, Narasaraopeta, Guntur District registered for the offences punishable under Sections 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short "I.P.C.") and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

2. The case of the prosecution is that the marriage of defacto complainant was performed with accused No.1 on 27.02.2020 in the presence of elders as per their caste customs. After marriage the petitioners/ A1 to A5, who are the in-laws of defacto complainant harassed her physically and mentally for additional dowry. On the report given by the defacto complainant, the case was registered.

3. Heard Sri G.V.S.Mehar Kumar, learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the respondent-State.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that the petitioners have not committed any offence as alleged and they have been falsely implicated in the case.

5. On the other hand, the learned Assistant Public Prosecutor submits that as per the allegations in the complaint, crime has been registered for the offences under Sections 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act. He further submits that since the punishment for the said offence is up to 7 years, police will follow the procedure contemplated under Section 41-A Cr.P.C.

6. Considering the facts and circumstances of the case, the police are directed to follow the procedure contemplated under Section 41-A Cr.P.C and the guidelines issued by the Apex Court in Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273 scrupulously. Any deviation in this regard will be viewed seriously.

7. Accordingly, the criminal petition is disposed of.

8. Consequently, miscellaneous applications pending, if any, shall stand closed.