JUDGMENT/ ORDER :

The instant petition under Section 4 82 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short 'Cr.P.C.'), has been filed by the petitioners/accused Nos.1 to 4, seeking quashment of proceedings against them in CC No.283 of 2021 on the file of the Court of Judicial Magistrate of First Class, Punganur for the offence punishable under Section 4 98-A of the INDIAN PENAL CODE , 1860 (for short 'IPC') and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (for short 'DP Act').

2. Petitioner/accused No.2 is the mother, petitioner/accused No.3 is the sister and petitioner/accused No.4 is the brother-in-law of petitioner/accused No.1, who is the husband of respondent No.2.

3. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is as follows :

(a) The marriage between respondent No.2/de facto complainant and petitioner/accused No.1 was performed on 16.03.2000 at Punganur per Hindu rites and caste customs. At the time of marriage, the parents of respondent No.2 gave an amount of Rs.2 lakhs, gold bracelet, one gold chain, two gold rings as dowry and also presented gold ornaments weighing 250 gms., to respondent No.2.

(b) Out of wedlock, as she gave birth to a female child. Petitioners/accused Nos.