IMPORTANT POINT
Specific allegations are essential to establish a prima facie case under IPC Sections 406 and 498-A; general allegations are insufficient for prosecution.

JUDGMENT :

Manisha Batra, J.

The petitioners, who are sister-in-law and mother-in-law, respectively, of respondent No. 2/complainant, have filed this petition under section 482 of CrPC, for quashing of FIR No. 34 dated 30.12.2019 under Section 406, 498-A, IPC registered at P.S. N.R.I., Ludhiana, District Ludhiana along with all the consequential proceedings having emanated therefrom.

2. Brief facts of the case relevant for the purpose of disposal of this petition are that the aforementioned FIR was registered on the basis of a written complaint sent by respondent No. 2 through post at Police Station NRI, District Ludhiana alleging therein that in the year 2016, she had shifted to Canada along with her family members after obtaining permanent residency and since then they had been residing there. Her matrimonial alliance was got settled by her parents with accused Gurpreet Singh Aujla in July, 2017. She alleged that accused no. 4 to 13, namely Surjit Singh, Harwinder Singh Jassar, Gurpreet Singh Jassar, Antarpreet Kaur, Sandeep Kaur, Kulwinder Kaur Grewal, Yadwinder Singh Grewal, Rajvir Singh Nagra, Mandeep Singh @ Gurpreet Singh and Harjinder Singh Naga, respectively, who were relatives of her husband and were also residing in Canada at that time, had given the customary Shagun to complainant/respondent no. 2 at Canada, whereas her relatives residing in India had given Shagun to her husband by visiting her house in September, 2017. The marriage was settled for 26.2.2018 and it was to take place in India. Before her marriage, whenever she used to have conversation with her husband, mother-in-law and sister in law, they used to express their greed and to convey to her that her marriage with accused Gurpreet Singh Aujla should be solemnized with great pomp and show and huge dowry should be given at the time of marriage. Respondent no. 2 expressed her concerns about this fact to her parents but they pacified her.

3. As per the further allegations, at the time of her marriage on 26.02.2018 in India, huge amount of money was spent by her parents and gold ornaments, wrist watches, costly clothing and shagun etc. were given to her husband, his family members as well as his relatives, as per their demands. She alleged that her mother and other relatives had also given gold as well as silver ornaments, costly clothing, make up kit etc. to her at the time of her marriage. She stayed with her husband, mother in law and sister in law at their house at Ludhiana for some days after the marriage and shortly thereafter, they started taunting her on account of bringing insufficient dowry and for not giving a car and furniture to her husband. The complainant tried to prevail good sense upon them by saying that no furniture was required as she was going to stay in Canada along with her husband but her in laws remained stuck to their demands and even did not consider the request made by the complainant that her parents were unable to spend any other amount of money since they had already spent a lot. Her father was compelled to part with a sum of Rs. 3 Lakhs for purchasing furniture by the accused. However, after receiving that amount, instead of purchasing the same, they misappropriated that amount. On 15.04.2018, her parents had gone back to Canada and thereafter, the behaviour of her in laws had even worsened towards her and they kept on pressurizing her to ask her parents to give money for purchase of a car. Then her uncle had given a sum of Rs. 5 Lakhs to her husband, mother in law and sister in law but even that was not purchased.

4. The complainant further alleged that she went back to Canada on 06.05.2018. Her husband came to Canada in November, 2018. He connived with his family members and other accused persons as named in complaint and kept on harassing her. He used to hurl abuses to her. He came back to India in March, 2019 and told her that he would come back to Canada only if her parents would purchase a house for him. He came to Canada on