ALLAHABAD HIGH COURT
Naheed Ara Moonis, J.
Ramesh Rai -Appellant
Versus
State of U.P. -Respondent
Criminal Misc. Bail Application No. 2752 of 2011
Decided On : 22-08-2012
Dowry Prohibition Act - Bail Application - Sections 498A, 304B, 201 IPC and Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act
Fact of the Case:
The bail application was filed by the husband of the deceased who was accused of killing his wife within two years of marriage. The prosecution alleged demand of dowry, torture, and disposal of the dead body in the river Ganges.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the deceased faced torture and demand of dowry, and the husband and his family members were actively involved in the commission of the offense. The court rejected the bail application but directed the trial court to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously.
Issues: Demand of dowry, torture, disposal of dead body, and grant of bail
Ratio Decidendi: The gravity of the offense, active participation of the accused, and the need for expeditious trial influenced the court's decision to reject the bail application.
Final Decision: The bail application was rejected, and the trial court was directed to proceed and conclude the trial expeditiously.
Heard the learned counsel for the applicant, the learned AGA and perused the record.
2. The present bail application has been moved by the applicant, Ramesh Rai in case crime no.185 of 2010, under Sections 498A, 304B, 201 IPC and Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act, P.S. Karimuddinpur, District Ghazipur, with a prayer that he may be admitted to bail during the pendency of trial.
3. The applicant is the husband of the deceased, Anita Devi. According to the prosecution case, the complainant's sister was married with the applicant on 22.4.2008, and at the time of marriage sufficient amount of dowry was given, but the husband of the deceased and other in-laws were not satisfied with the dowry and she was facing brunt of her in-laws as they were demanding more dowry. On account of non fulfillment of the demand of dowry she was constantly meted to torture and cruelty by her in-laws. The victim was ousted by the husband and other in-laws. The complainant had tried to settle the dispute between the husband and wife. An effort was also made by the respected members of the family and other relatives to settle the dispute prior to the incident, and the victim was send to her matrimonial house. Out of their wedlock a male child was born, even then the in-laws of the victim did not change their attitude and tortured the victim for dowry, and at last she was done to death in the intervening night of 25.6.2010. The complainant received an information, that his sister had consumed poison. Later on the mother in-law of the deceased told him that she had strangulated herself by hanging. When the complainant and his other family members reached there, he was informed that she had been done to death by pressing her neck, and in order to destroy the evidence, the applicant and other in-laws had thrown the dead body of the deceased in the river Ganges. The complainant tried to search out the dead body of the deceased with the help of local people and divers but could not be found. Thereafter, the complainant lodged the first information report on 27.2.2010, under Sections 498A, 304B, 201 IPC and Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act.
4. The submission of the learned counsel for the applicant is that, the allegations made in the first information report are absolutely false and frivolous. After her death the applicant had emersed the dead body of his wife in the river Ganges according to the customary rites. Neither there was any demand, nor she was ill treated or meted to any cruelty. In fact she was suffering from acute pain in abdomen and she was under going treatment. In this regard a prescription dated 23.12.2009 of Primary Health Centre, Sohaon, District Ballia, showing that the victim was suffering from pain and dysentery, has been filed with the bail application.
5. It is further submitted that, the victim has died her natural death and the applicant and his entire family members have been roped in the case falsely. The allegations of demand of dowry, as alleged in the first information report, are absolutely false and concocted, have been made to give colour to the case. The applicant is in jail since 15.4.2010.
6. Per contra, the learned AGA has opposed the prayer for bail and contended that, it is evident from the first information report, that the victim died in an unnatural circumstances within two years of marriage. The prescription of medical treatment of the victim, which is annexed with the affidavit filed in support of the bail application is much prior of her death. The circumstances show that she was constantly facing the brunt of her in-laws, the victim has been done to death on account of non fulfillment of demand of dowry and after the death of the victim, the accused persons did not inform the police, and thrown her body in the river Ganges, without waiting her family members to reach, only to wipe of the evidence. The applicant is the husband of the deceased, who has obligation to maintain his wife and responsibl
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.