Vague allegations in matrimonial disputes without specific details against relatives can lead to quashing of criminal charges to prevent abuse of legal processes.

ORDER :

JUVVADI SRIDEVI, J.

The Criminal Petition No.12151 of 2024 has been filed by the petitioners-accused Nos.3 and 4; Criminal Petition No.12085 of 2024 has been filed by the petitioners-accused Nos.5 to 7; and Criminal Petition No.11672 of 2024 has been filed by the petitioner-accused No.8, seeking quashment of the proceedings against them in S.C.No.433 of 2024 on the file of the learned II Additional Senior Civil Judge-cum-II Additional Assistant Sessions Judge, Malkajgiri at Kushaiguda (for short, “the learned trial Court”). The offences alleged against the accused Nos.1 and 3 to 7 are under Sections 307, 417, 498-A, 504 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (for short, “IPC”) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act (for short, “the Act”), whereas the offence alleged against the petitioner-accused No.8 is under Section 420 of the IPC.

02. Since all the above Criminal Petitions arise out of the very same charge-sheet and the issue involved in all the matters is common, they are being disposed of by way of this Common Order.

03. Heard Sri S.Ganesh, learned counsel, representing Sri Buyyankar Krishna Karthik, learned counsel for the petitioners and Sri P. Bhaskar Rao, learned counsel for the unofficial respondent as well as Sri M. Vivekananda Reddy, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for the State. Perused the record.

04(a). In brief, the case of the prosecution is that the parents of the respondent No.2-complainant approached one K. Bhavya Reddy for suitable matrimonial alliances. Pursuant thereto, K. Bhavya Reddy introduced one person i.e. the accused No.1. It is alleged that during the marriage negotiations, the accused No.8 the paternal uncle of the accused No.1, participated in the talks and represented that the accused No.1 was a person of good character, while allegedly suppressing and concealing his prior bad habits. It is further alleged that the engagement of the respondent No.2 with the accused No.1 was solemnised on 16.02.2023 at SNR Gardens, Shameerpet, and the marriage was thereafter solemnised at the same venue on 15.03.2023 in the presence of elders from both families. At the time of marriage, on the alleged demand of the accused No.1 and his family members, the parents of the respondent No.2 are stated to have paid dowry consisting of cash of Rs.2 crores, land valued at Rs.3 crores, 2 kilograms of gold, and 5 kilograms of silver, by selling their agricultural property. It is also alleged that, as per the demand of the accused No.1’s family, the father of the respondent No.2 incurred an expenditure of approximately Rs.60 lakhs towards the engagement and marriage ceremonies.

04(b). After the marriage, the respondent No.2 joined the accused No.1 at the matrimonial home situated at Cherlapally. It is alleged that from the very next day, the accused No.1 subjected the respondent No.2 to physical and mental cruelty by beating her and abusing her in filthy language under the influence of alcohol. Subsequently, the respondent No.2 came to know that the accused No.1 was addicted to various bad habits prior to marriage. Upon checking the WhatsApp messages of the accused No.1, she allegedly discovered that the accused No.1 was maintaining illicit relationships with other women, including the accused No.2 and that due to such relationship the accused No.1 continued to harass her. When the respondent No.2 informed her in-laws i.e. the accused Nos.3 and 4 regarding the said conduct of the accused No.1, they allegedly advised her to adjust and continue the matrimonial life. When she informed the matter to her sister-in-law, the accused No.5, the latter allegedly abused her in filthy language. Thereafter, the accused Nos.3 to 5 are alleged to have subjected the respondent No.2 to further physical and mental harassment and to have taken away her mobile phone to prevent her from contacting her parents. The respondent No.2 thereafter c