2026:CGHC:4897-DB MANPREET KAUR NAFR Digitally signed by MANPREET KAUR Date: 2026.01.30 11:27:30 +0530 HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR CRMP No. 2239 of 2023

1 - Chandrabhan Sao S/o Late Shri Khemlal Sao, Aged About 30 Years R/o Village Kudaribahara Katel, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

2 - Kshama Nidhi Sao S/o Late Shri Sahdev Sao, Aged About 56 Years R/o Village Kudaribahara Katel, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

3 - Manglu Sao, S/o Late Shri Sahdev Sao, Aged About 66 Years R/o Village Kudaribahara Katel, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

4 - Smt. Sitiya Bai Sao, Wd/o Late Shri Khemlal Sao, Aged About 50 Years R/o Village Kudaribahara Katel, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

5 - Suraj Sao, S/o Late Shri Khemlal Sao, Aged About 24 Years R/o Village Kudaribahara Katel, Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

... Petitioner(s)

versus

1 - State Of Chhattisgarh Through Police Station Basna, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

2 - Khushbu Sao, D/o Hemant Sahu, Aged About 28 Years R/o Village Rajiv Nagar Bansul, Deepa Basna, Police Station Basana, District Mahasamund (Chhattisgarh)

... Respondent(s)

For Petitioner(s) : Ms. Manubha Shankar on behalf of Mr.

Harshwardhan Parganiha, Advocate For Respondent(s) : Mr. Kishore Narayan, Advocate and Mr.

Nitansh Jaiswal, Deputy G.A.

Hon'ble Shri Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice Hon'ble Shri Ravindra Kumar Agrawal , Judge Judgment on Board Per Ramesh Sinha , Chief Justice

29.01.2026

1. Heard Ms. Manubha Shankar on behalf of Mr. Harshwardhan Parganiha, learned counsel for the petitioners. Also heard Mr. Nitansh Jaiswal, learned Deputy Government Advocate, appearing for respondents No. 1/State and Mr. Kishore Narayan, learned counsel, appearing for respondent No. 2.

2. In compliance to the Court’s order dated 13.01.2026, the matter was referred to the Mediation Centre. Further, the mediation report dated 20.01.2026 goes to show that the mediation between the parties failed.

3. Learned counsel for the petitioners submits that in compliance to the Court’s order dated 13.01.2026, the petitioners deposited Rs.1,00,000/- to the Mediation Centre of this Court, which has already been received by the respondent No.2.

4. The present petition has been filed by the petitioners with the following prayer:

“It is, therefore, most respectfully prayed that this Hon'ble Court may kindly be pleased to quash the entire proceedings under section 498-A, 377, 323, 506, 354, 34 of Indian Penal Code and section 3, 4 of The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 pending in Criminal Case No. 504/2023 before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Basna, District Mahasamund (C.G.). in the interest of the justice.”

5. Prosecution story in brief is that petitioner No.1 is the husband of the complainant/respondent No.2, petitioner Nos.2 and 3 are her cousin-uncles-in-law, petitioner No.4 is her mother-in-law and petitioner No.5 is her brother-in-law. The marriage of the complainant/respondent No.2 was solemnized with petitioner No.1 on 10.05.2022 according to Hindu rites and rituals, after which she stayed in her matrimonial home for about one week and thereafter started residing with petitioner No.1 at Abhanpur, where he was posted with HDFC Bank. Alleging cruelty, harassment and commission of offences relating to dowry and modesty, the complainant/respondent No.2 filed an application under Section 156(3) of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 before the learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Basna, District Mahasamund (C.G.), and on the basis of the said application the learned JMFC, vide order dated 22.06.2023, directed Police Station Basna to register an FIR. In compliance thereof, the respondent police registered an FIR on 22.06.2023 against the petitioners for offences under Sections 498-A, 377, 323, 506, 354 and 34 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Upon completion of investigation, the police fi