IN THE HIGH COURT OF DELHI AT NEW DELHI
Subramonium Prasad, J.
Billo @ Bilkish - Appellant
Versus
State, NCT Of Delhi - Respondent
Bail Application No. 3422 of 2020
Decided On : 09-08-2021
Bail - Offences under Sections 498A/304B/34 IPC - [Sections 498A, 304B, 34 IPC] - The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner, an aged lady, based on the lack of evidence to substantiate the allegations against her and the absence of necessity for custodial interrogation. The court imposed several conditions for the bail.
Fact of the Case:
The petitioner sought bail under Section 438 Cr.P.C. in relation to FIR No.209/2020 for offences under Sections 498A/304B/34 IPC. The deceased's brother alleged that the deceased was harassed for dowry and ultimately committed suicide.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that there was insufficient evidence to implicate the petitioner and that custodial interrogation was unnecessary. The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner and imposed specific conditions.
Issues: Allegations of harassment for dowry, suicide of the deceased, petitioner's involvement, and necessity for custodial interrogation.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was based on the lack of evidence against the petitioner and the absence of necessity for custodial interrogation, considering the petitioner's age and the time elapsed since interim protection was granted.
Final Decision: The court granted anticipatory bail to the petitioner and imposed specific conditions, emphasizing that the observations made in the order are only for the purpose of grant of anticipatory bail and cannot be considered in the trial.
JUDGMENT
Subramonium Prasad, J. - This petition under Section 438 Cr.P.C. is for grant of bail to the petitioner in the event of arrest in FIR No.209/2020 dated 20.05.2020 registered at Police Station Seelampur for offences punishable under Sections 498A/304B/34 IPC.
2. Brother (Rehan) of the deceased (Foziya) filed a complaint stating that his sister got married to one Sartaj @ Shahrukh R/o B-1, New Seelampur, near Jama Masjid, Seelampur, Delhi, on 26.01.2015. It is stated that initially everything was fine in the marriage but after four-five months of the marriage, the in-laws of the deceased started demanding dowry. It is stated that several times the mother of the deceased gave money to the inlaws of the deceased without disclosing it either to the father of the deceased or the complainant. It is stated that one Swift Car, 25 tolas of gold, one motorcycle were given by the parents of the deceased to her in-laws as dowry and a good amount of money was spent on the marriage. It is stated that about six months before her death, the deceased had lodged a complaint against her husband Shahrukh. It is stated that the parents of the deceased had taken her back to their home. It is stated that pursuant to a settlement and on an assurance given by her in-laws the deceased was sent back to her matrimonial home. It is stated that 2-3 days before the incident, the deceased gave a phone call to her mother and stated that her husband would kill her and that they should come and take her away. It is stated that on 19.05.2020, at about 4:30 PM, the father-in-law of the deceased gave a phone call to the mother of the deceased and asked to her come and take her daughter away otherwise Shahrukh would kill her. It is stated that the complainant and his family tried to call the in-laws of the deceased but no one picked up the phone. It is stated that on the same day the co-brother of the complainant gave a call and stated that the condition of the deceased, Foziya, was very critical and that she has been admitted to ICU. It is stated that when the complainant and his family members reached the hospital they were informed that Foziya has passed away. On the said statement FIR No.209/2020 dated 20.05.2020, was registered at Police Station Seelampur for offences punishable under Sections 498A/304B/34 IPC.
3. The petitioner filed an application under Section 438 Cr.P.C seeking anticipatory bail before the Sessions Court which was rejected by the learned Special Judge (NDPS), North East, vide order dated 20.10.2020. Thereafter the petitioner has filed the instant application.
4. This Court vide order dated 09.11.2020 granted interim protection to the petitioner herein and directed her to join investigation as and when called for by the SHO. Status Report has been filed.
5. Heard Mr. Jitender Sethi, learned counsel for the petitioner and Mr. Amit Chadha, learned APP for the State and perused the material on record.
6. The learned counsel for the petitioner contends that the a perusal of the FIR would show that the allegations are primarily against the son of the petitioner. The learned counsel for the petitioner has taken this Court through the statement dated 02.12.2019 given by the deceased to the police wherein she has stated that her husband, Shahrukh, who is always under intoxication, gave beatings to her and that she was saved by her uncle. It was further stated in the said statement that action be taken against Shahrukh. The learned counsel for the petitioner contend that the said statement was recorded in the Police Station Seelampur vide DD No.4A and the husband of the deceased was arrested. The learned counsel for the petitioner therefore contends that the grievance of the deceased was primarily against her husband and the allegation of dowry etc. have been levelled against the inlaws of the deceased after the death of the deceased only to implicate them.
7. Per contra, Mr. Amit Chadha, learned APP contends that the deceased was harassed and tort
The main legal point established is that the grant of anticipatory bail is based on the lack of evidence and necessity for custodial interrogation, considering the specific circumstances of the case.
Anticipatory bail can be granted when there is insufficient evidence against the petitioner, particularly when allegations appear primarily directed at another individual.
Grant of anticipatory bail based on lack of direct connection to the crime, collection of exhibits sent for analysis, and absence of necessity for custodial interrogation.
The main legal point established in the judgment is that for granting anticipatory bail in a case related to dowry, the absence of specific allegations of demand of dowry or causing harassment to the....
The main legal point established in the judgment is the requirement for specific allegations and evidence linking an accused to the alleged offenses, particularly in cases involving dowry demands and....
The absence of specific allegations of demand of dowry or causing harassment to the deceased in relation to demand of dowry led to the grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner.
The conduct of the accused is critical in determining anticipatory bail; misuse of interim protection can lead to denial of bail.
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