The seriousness of the allegations and the statements of witnesses are crucial factors in deciding bail applications in cases involving offences related to dowry harassment and assault.

JUDGMENT :

Rajeev Kumar Dubey, J.

1. Heard with the aid of case diary.

2. This is fifth bail application filed by the applicant under Section 439 of Cr.P.C. Applicant Srawan Kumar Kushwaha was arrested on 28/10/2018 in Crime No. 245/2018 registered at Police Station Gurh, District Rewa (M.P.) for the offence punishable under Sections 498-A, 304-B/34 of IPC and 3/4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

3. The first, second and fourth bail applications filed by the applicant were dismissed as withdrawn by this Court vide orders dated 09/04/2019, 16/08/2019 & 24/07/2020 passed in M.Cr.C. Nos. 11738/2019, 30229/2019 & 10618/2020 respectively and third bail application was dismissed on merit vide order dated 30/11/2019 passed in M.Cr.C. No. 46288/2019.

4. As per prosecution case, on 07/07/2018 deceased Smt. Suman Kushwaha wife of applicant Srawan Kumar Kushwaha committed suicide by hanging herself. It is alleged that the applicant, who was the husband of the deceased and co-accused Kamta Kushwaha father-in-law and Duasiya Kushwaha mother-in-law of the deceased demanded Rs. 3,00,000/- and used to harass her and assaulted her, due to which she committed suicide within three years of her marriage.

5. Learned counsel for the applicant submits that the applicant has not committed any offence and has falsely been implicated in the offence. There is no specific allegation regarding demand of dowry against the applicant in the FIR. The statements of Dinesh Kushwaha (PW/4) & Ramesh Kushwaha (PW/5) have been recorded by the trial Court. Dinesh Kushwaha (PW/4) father of deceased did not depose that applicant demanded dowry. Learned counsel further submitted that there are many omission and contradiction in the statement of Ramesh Kushwaha (PW/5) regarding demand of dowry and harassment of deceased by the applicant. The applicant is in custody since 28/10/2018. The charge-sheet has been filed and the conclusion of trial will take time, hence prayed for release of the applicant on bail. In support of his contention learned counsel placed reliance on the judgments passed by Hon'ble Apex Court in the cases of Bhagirathsinh Judeja Vs. State of Gujarat, AIR 1984 SC 372, Jaya Simha Vs. State of Karnataka, 2007 AIR SCW 7056, Sanjay Chandra Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, 2011 AIR SCW 6838, Byrraju Ramaa Raju Vs. State through the Central Bureau of Investigation, 2012 AIR SCW 437, State of Bihar & Another Vs. Amit Kumar @ Bacha Rai, AIR 2017 SC 2487, Ram Saran Pal @ Lallu Vs. State of U.P., AIR 2017 SC 2880, P. Chidambaram Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation, (2020) 13 SCC 337, State Represented by Inspector of Police Vs. M. Murugesan & Another, (2020) 15 SCC 251 & Arnab Manoranjan Goswami Vs. State of Maharashtra & Others.

6. Learned counsel for the respondent/State opposed the prayer and submitted that applicant the third bail application filed by the applicant was dismissed on merit and thereafter there is no change in circumstance, so he should not be released on bail.

7. The facts of the cases upon which reliance is placed by the learned counsel for the applicant do not match with the present case. In the cases of Bhagirathsinh Judeja Vs. State of Gujarat, (supra), Jaya Simha Vs. State of Karnataka (supra), Byrraju Ramaa Raju Vs. State through the Central Bureau of Investigation (supra), State of Bihar & Another Vs. Amit Kumar @ Bacha Rai (supra), Ram Saran Pal @ Lallu Vs. State of U.P. (supra), & P. Chidambaram Vs. Central Bureau of Investigation (supra) Hon'ble Apex Court granted bail to the accused looking to the peculiar facts and circumstances of the case and did not lay down any principle regarding release of any accused on bail. In the case of State Represented by Inspector of Police Vs. M. Murugesan & Another (supra) Hon'ble Apex Court only held that the jurisdiction of the High Court came to an end when an application for grant of bail under Section 439 Cr.P.C. was finally decided and did not lay down any principle regarding bail. In the case of Arnab