IN THE HIGH COURT OF JHARKHAND AT RANCHI
SANJAY KUMAR DWIVEDI, J.
Kalawati Pandey, wife of Shri Keshav Prasad Pandey – Appellant
Versus
The State of Jharkhand – Respondent
Cr.M.P. No. 1403 of 2016, Cr.M.P. No. 3046, 3378 of 2018
Decided on : 02-05-2022
Indian Penal Code,1860 - Section 498A – Code of Criminal Procedure,1973 - Section 125,245, 482 – Code of civil Procedure,1908 - Sections 140,141 - Hindu Marriage Act,1955 - Section 9 - Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty - Order for maintenance of wives, children and parents - Saving of inherent powers of High Court - Restitution of conjugal rights - Held, In view of the above facts and considering entire aspects of the matter, it appears that there is disputed question of fact, which cannot be appreciated by this Court while sitting under Section 482 Cr.P.C., which are the subject matter of trial. Moreover, the trial has already been proceeded and three witnesses have already been examined on behalf of the prosecution - Petitions dismissed
JUDGMENT :
Heard Mr. Rahul Kumar assisted by Ms. Apoorva Singh, learned counsel for the petitioner in Cr.M.P. No.1403 of 2016 and Mr. A.K. Kashyap, learned senior counsel appearing for the petitioners in Cr.M.P. Nos.3046 of 2018 and 3378 of 2018, Mr. S.K. Jha, learned counsel for the State in all the cases and Mr. Nilesh Kumar assisted by Ms. Sonal Sodhani, learned counsel for opposite party no.2 in all the cases.
2. In all these petitions, common question of facts and laws are involved and that is why with the consent of the parties, these petitions are heard together.
3. In Cr.M.P. No.1403 of 2016, the petitioner is the mother-in-law of opposite party no.2, in Cr.M.P. No.3046 of 2018, the petitioner is the father-in-law of opposite party no.2 and in Cr.M.P. No.3378 of 2018, the petitioner is the husband of opposite party no.2.
4. In all the cases, the prayer has been made for quashing the order dated 26.02.2016 passed by the learned S.D.J.M., Ranchi including the entire criminal proceeding initiated against the petitioners in connection with Complaint Case No.2052 of 2013, pending in the court of the learned S.D.J.M., Ranchi.
5. The opposite party no.2 has filed complaint case alleging therein that her marriage was solemnized with Vikram Pandey, who is working as Assistant Manager, IDBI Bank at Hotel BNR Chanakya, Ranchi on 19.04.2012. It was further alleged that after the date of marriage was fixed and the same was communicated to friends and relatives of the complainant, the accused persons started demanding Rs.12 Lacs in cash from the father of the complainant failing which her daughter's marriage would not be materialized upon which the complainant's father succumbed to their aforesaid demands, burdening himself from loans to avoid cancellation of her daughter marriage and for protecting the family culture and marriage took place on 19.04.2012. It was also alleged that about 35.6 grams of gold and ornaments, Rs.40,000/-worth of silver ornaments and about Rs.1 Lac of clothes was gifted to the complainant at the time of bidai by her father. Post marriage, complaint was made by the husband and mother-in-law of complainant regarding non gifting of car and for the same, the father-in-law of the complainant insulted the father of the complainant and husband and mother-in-law started mental cruelty on the complainant. On 21.04.2012, the complainant heard her husband speaking with another lady and telling her that no one can take her place and complainant would be send home and on enquiry it was disclosed that he was talking to his lover Sonu Kalra @ Meenakshi and told her that he had married her under family pressure and that she should get used to living with Sonu Kalra @ Meenakshi and on the same night they had physical relationship. The complainant informed her in-laws and her father-in-law made lewd comments. Thereafter, the complainant's husband had to go to Delhi for which his parents demanded that the Delhi house of the husband be furnished and decorated by her parents and to force her to accept their demands, they stopped her from using all gadgets like TV, washing machine, AC, etc. she was also prevented from appearing in her MA exams but still she appeared on for the exam on 24.04.2012 and 27.04.2012 for which her books were torn and was threatened with dire consequences. It was further alleged that on 29.04.2012, the complainant's husband left for Delhi and the complainant was left alone with her father-in-law and mother-in-law. In the same night, when she went to bed, she left her room unlocked and at midnight she felt some one touching her whereupon she woke up and found her father-in-law half naked trying to undress her and she tried to shout but her father-in-law pressed her mouth and told her that while his son will live with his girlfriend, he will fulfil her needs and make her the queen of the house. However, she broke free and locked herself in the bathroom and next morning informed her mother who came and took he
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The main legal point established in the judgment is that the High Court should refrain from exercising its power under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure when the trial is at an advanced s....
The court emphasized the necessity to quash criminal proceedings when allegations do not constitute an offence, especially in matrimonial disputes resolved amicably with mutual consent and alimony.
Criminal trial leading to eventual acquittal also inflicts severe scars upon accused and such an exercise must be discouraged.
High Court under Section 482 CrPC cannot quash proceedings where specific allegations of cruelty, dowry demands, assaults and harassment prima facie constitute offences; no evidence appreciation at t....
Charges framed under Sections 498A and 323 IPC quashed due to lack of specific allegations and evidence, preventing abuse of process of law.
Compromise between parties in marital disputes can result in quashing of criminal proceedings, emphasizing the need to avoid abuse of the judicial process.
Vague, omnibus allegations in matrimonial disputes are insufficient to sustain criminal charges against in-laws under dowry laws; specific evidence is required to proceed, preventing misuse of legal ....
General allegations against in-laws in matrimonial disputes require specific accusations to avoid quashing of FIR under Section 482, Cr.P.C.
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