PUNJAB & HARYANA HIGH COURT
V.K.Jhanji, J.
Kamlesh
Versus
State Of Haryana
Criminal Miscellaneous No. 2972 of 1993,
Decided On : JULY 29, 1994
Sec.498-A/34 of the Indian Penal Code - Quashing of F. I. R. - The court quashed the F. I. R. filed under Sec.498-A/34 of the Indian Penal Code against the petitioners due to lack of specific allegations and material to show their involvement in treating the respondent with cruelty.
Fact of the Case:
The petition was filed to quash the F. I. R. under Sec.482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, which was registered against the petitioners, their brother, and father under Sec.498-A/34 of the Indian Penal Code. The marriage between the respondent and her husband did not work out, and a divorce petition was filed. Subsequently, an F. I. R. was lodged against the petitioners alleging cruelty.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the allegations against the petitioners were general in nature and not specific. It noted that at the time of filing the petition under Sec.9 of the Hindu Marriage Act, the respondent had not alleged that the petitioners had treated her with cruelty. The court also considered the return of articles given at the time of marriage and the subsequent dissolution of the marriage by mutual consent.
Issues: The issues revolved around the specific allegations of cruelty against the petitioners and the lack of material to show their involvement in the alleged offense.
Ratio Decidendi: The court's decision was influenced by the lack of specific allegations and material to show the petitioners' involvement in treating the respondent with cruelty, as well as the subsequent dissolution of the marriage by mutual consent.
Final Decision: The court quashed the F. I. R. against the petitioners with no order as to costs.
V. K. Jhanji, J.
1. The present petition has been filed under Sec.482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure for the quashing of F. I. R. No.547 dated 3.9.1992 registered with Police Station N. LT. Faridabad under Sec.498-A/34 of the Indian Penal Code and all the subsequent proceedings having taken place in pursuance thereto.
2. Smt. Madhu daughter of Shri Ram Lal got married on 15.12.1990 to one Satish Kumar son of Shri Han Chand, i. e. brother of the petitioners. Unfortunately, the marriage did not work out and had to fall out. A petition under Sec.9 of the Hindu Marriage Act was filed by the husband in which Smt. Madhu made a statement that there is no possibility of cohabiting with her husband. She also stated that she wanted to file a divorce petition. Vide order dated 12.8.1992, the Additional District Judge, Faridabad, dismissed the petition in view of the compromise arrived at between the parties to the marriage. It is recorded in the order that the husband had returned the items of dowry, as mentioned in the list dated 12.8.1992, to the wife. It is also recorded that wife showed her intention of seeking divorce against her husband. It was only on 3.9.1992, an F. I. R. was got registered against the petitioners, their brother and father under Sec.498-N34 of the Indian Penal Code at Police Station N. LT. Faridabad.
3. The petitioners seek quashing of the F. I. R. on the ground that there is no specific allegation against them and in fact only general allegations have been made. Further, the F. I. R. does not disclose any offence against the petitioners nor there is any material to show that the petitioners at any stage were involved in treating respondent No.2 with cruelty. Respondent No.1 as well as respondent No.2 have filed reply to the petition denying the averments made in the petition.
4. Having heard the learned counsel, I am of the view that the F. I. R. qua the petitioners is liable to be quashed. A perusal of the F. I. R. shows that the allegations made against the petitioners are general in nature and are not specific. At the time when the petition under Sec.9 of the Hindu Marriage Act was filed and a statement was made by respondent No.2, she had not alleged that petitioners at any point of time had treated her with cruelty or given her beatings. As a matter of fact, she stated that she cannot assume cohabitation with her husband. The compromise order dated 12.8.1992 finds mention that the articles which were given to respondent No.2 at the time of marriage were returned. Counsel have also stated that marriage between respondent No.2 and Satish Kumar has since been dissolved by a decree of divorce under Sec.13-B of the Hindu Marriage Act. They have also placed on record copy of the order vide which marriage was dissolved by mutual consent under Sec.13. B of the Hindu Marriage Act. This order also does not indicate that respondent No.2 was serious in making allegations against the petitioners. Petitioners, who were unmarried at the time the F. I. R. was lodged, have since been married and are living with their respective husbands.
5. Resultantly, I find that it is a fit case where F. I. R. qua 2 petitioners can be quashed and consequently the same is quashed with no order as to costs. Petition allowed.
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