IN THE HIGH COURT OF ALLAHABAD
Vikram D. Chauhan, J.
Om Narain Tripathi And Anr. - Applicant
Vs.
State Of U.P. And Anr. - Respondent
Application U/S 482 No. - 2171 of 2018
Decided On : 29-01-2024
Section 482 Cr.P.C. - Quashing of Criminal Proceedings - 498A, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C. and 3/4 D.P. Act - [498A, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C., 3/4 D.P. Act] - The court quashed the criminal proceedings against the applicant no.1 based on vague and general allegations of cruelty and assault against the in-laws, citing the precedent set by the Apex Court in the case of Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam and others (supra). The court found that the informant failed to establish specific allegations and there was no medical report regarding any injury suffered, leading to the quashing of the proceedings.
Fact of the Case:
The applicant, father-in-law in a matrimonial dispute, filed an application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. to quash the criminal proceedings against him under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C. and 3/4 D.P. Act. The allegations against the applicant were vague and general, and there was no medical report regarding any injury suffered by the wife.
Finding of the Court:
The court found that the allegations against the applicant were vague and general in nature, and the informant failed to establish specific allegations of cruelty and assault against the in-laws. The court also noted the absence of a medical report regarding any injury suffered.
Issues: The issues revolved around the vagueness and generality of the allegations against the applicant, the lack of specific allegations of cruelty and assault, and the absence of a medical report regarding any injury suffered.
Ratio Decidendi: The court relied on the precedent set by the Apex Court in the case of Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam and others (supra), which emphasized the need for specific and distinct allegations in cases of vague and general accusations, and the absence of clear allegations against the in-laws to warrant prosecution.
Final Decision: The court quashed the criminal proceedings against the applicant no.1-Om Narain Tripathi based on the vague and general allegations of cruelty and assault against the in-laws, citing the precedent set by the Apex Court and the failure of the informant to establish specific allegations or provide a medical report regarding any injury suffered.
JUDGMENT :
Vikram D. Chauhan, J.
1. Heard Sri Prarabdha Pasndey, Advocate holding brief of Sri Nirvikalp Pandey, learned counsel for the applicant and learned AGA for the State-respondent.
2. This application under Section 482 Cr.P.C. has been filed by applicant for quashing the proceedings of Criminal Case No.428 of 2017, State Vs. Krishna Kumar and others, arising out of Case Crime No.0053 of 2016, under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C. and 3/4 D.P. Act, Police Station Mahila Thana, District Etawah pending in the court A.C.J.M. Vth, Etawah.
3. It is submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant no.1 is the father-in-law and the applicant no.2 is the mother-in-law. The applicant no.2 has died during pendency of the present application before this Court and as such, he is not pressing the application so far as the applicant no.2 is concerned. The arguments have been advanced by learned counsel for the applicant only in respect of applicant no.1. Accordingly, the present application in respect of applicant no.2 is dismissed.
4. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant no.1 is aged about 80 years. The first information report was lodged on 20.9.2016 under Sections 498A, 323, 504, 506 I.P.C. and 3/4 D.P. Act. In so far as applicant no.1 is concerned, the allegation applicant no.1 in the first information report is to the effect that the informant who is the wife has lodged the first information report that the marriage took place on 6.7.1998 with Krishna Kumar Tripathi. The allegation against applicant no.1 is that the applicant no.1 along with other co-accused were not happy with the dowry given at the time of marriage and they were subjecting the opposite party no.2-wife to cruelty. Further, there are allegation against applicant no.1 and other co-accused for assaulting the opposite party no.2.
5. It is further submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that general, vague and omnibus allegations have been made against the applicant no.1, who is father-in-law along with other co-accused. There is no injury report with regard to any injury suffered by opposite party no.2-wife.
6. On the strength of the aforesaid, learned counsel for the applicant has relied upon the judgment of Apex Court in the case of Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam and others Vs. State of Bihar and others, AIR 2022 SC 820.
7. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that specific allegation has been made in paragraph 19 of the affidavit filed in support of the present application with the averment that there is no proof of any medical examination of the injuries sustained by the opposite party no.2-wife and the aforesaid allegations have been falsely made to enhance the gravity of the offence. The aforesaid averments have been responded by the State in its counter affidavit in paragraph
11. The non-existence of the medical examination report has not been disputed by the State.
8. Learned A.G.A. appearing for the State has opposed the present application. However, he does not dispute the law laid down by the Apex Court in the case of Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam and others (supra).
9. Learned A.G.A. also could not dispute the fact that there is no medical report with regard to any injuries sustained by the opposite party no.2-wife.
10. It is to be seen in the present case that as per allegations in the first information report against the applicant no.1, it is alleged that the applicant no.1 along with other co-accused were not satisfied with the dowry given at the time of marriage and were therefore, sustaining cruelty on the opposite party no.2-wife. The marriage in the present case has taken place on 6.7.1998 with the co-accused Krishna Kumar Tripathi. The applicant no.1 is the father-in-law. However, allegation in the first information report is to the effect that the applicant no.1 along with other co-accused they have assaulted the victim.
11. A perusal of the first information report and the statement of the opposite part
Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam and others Vs. State of Bihar and others
Specific and distinct allegations are required in cases of vague and general accusations, and the absence of clear allegations against the in-laws does not warrant prosecution.
The allegations under Section 498-A IPC must be specific; general or vague allegations do not warrant criminal proceedings, protecting against misuse.
General omnibus allegations of dowry harassment against in-laws without specific evidence or roles, despite initial exoneration, warrant quashing under CrPC Section 482 to curb abuse of process in ma....
Criminal proceedings require specific allegations with material particulars; vague and general accusations do not meet the threshold for prosecution and can violate the accused's right to a fair tria....
The court underscored the necessity of specific allegations in matrimonial proceedings under Section 498A IPC to prevent misuse and quashed the FIR due to a settlement between parties.
The main legal point established in the judgment is the need for careful scrutiny of allegations in matrimonial disputes, the potential misuse of legal provisions, and the importance of examining wit....
General and vague allegations in matrimonial disputes do not warrant prosecution; specific instances of criminal conduct are necessary for charges to proceed.
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