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2026:CGHC:14271 NAFR

KUNAL DEWANGAN HIGH COURT OF CHHATTISGARH AT BILASPUR

Digitally signed by KUNAL DEWANGAN

MCRC No. 2803 of 2026

1 - Jhumuk Lal Sahu S/o Biseshar Sahu Aged About 62 Years R/o Village Angara, P.S. Kurud, Distt. Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh.

2 - Smt. Jageshwari Sahu W/o Jhumuk Lal Sahu Aged About 53 Years R/o Village Angara, P.S. Kurud, Distt. Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh.

... Applicants versus

State of Chhattisgarh Through Station House OfÏcer, Kurud, Distt.

Dhamtari, Chhattisgarh.

... Non-Applicant For Applicants : Ms. Aditi Singhvi, Applicant

For Non-Applicant/State : Ms. Smriti Shrivastava, Panel Lawyer.

Hon'ble Mr. Ramesh Sinha, Chief Justice

Order on Board

25.03.2026

1. This is the First bail application filed under Section 483 of the

Bhartiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail to the applicants who have been arrested in connection with Crime No.346/2025 registered at Police Station – Kurud, District Dhamtari (C.G.), for the offence punishable under Sections 80(2), 3(5) of the

Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

2. The case of the prosecution, in brief, is that the deceased Bhavna

Sahu was married to Ravi Kumar Sahu, son of the present

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applicants Jhukum Lal Sahu and Jageshwari Sahu, on 08.03.2019 as per social customs. It is alleged that after about 2–3 years of marriage, the deceased was subjected to continuous physical and mental cruelty by her husband and in-laws, particularly by the present applicants, on account of dowry demands and suspicion over her character. The prosecution case is that the applicants used to taunt and harass the deceased for not bringing sufÏcient dowry articles such as a washing machine, fridge, utensils, and jewellery, and also treated her in a humiliating manner, thereby causing grave

mental distress.

3. It is further case of the prosecution is that due to such persistent

harassment and torture, the deceased, on 02.11.2025, poured kerosene oil on herself and set herself on fire at her matrimonial home, as a result of which she sustained severe burn injuries and was admitted to Kalda Burn Hospital, Raipur, where she subsequently succumbed to her injuries during treatment. The admission slip of the hospital records the cause of burn injuries as self-inflicted by pouring kerosene. During the course of investigation, the dying declaration of the deceased was recorded by the Executive Magistrate, wherein she specifically alleged that she took the extreme step due to the taunts and ill-treatment meted out to her by her father-in-law Jhukum Lal Sahu and mother-in-law Jageshwari Sahu, who allegedly treated her like a maid. It has also come on record that her statements were recorded on a mobile phone during hospitalization, wherein she held her in-laws

responsible for any harm caused to her.

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4. On the basis of such material collected during investigation,

including the dying declaration and other evidence in the case diary, the prosecution asserts that there are prima facie grounds to believe that the applicants subjected the deceased to cruelty in connection with dowry demands, which ultimately led her to commit suicide. Accordingly, offences under the relevant provisions of law have been registered, and after completion of investigation, charge-

sheet has been filed against the applicants.

5. Learned counsel for the applicants submits that the applicants are

innocent and have been falsely implicated in the present case. It is contended that the marriage between the deceased Bhavna Sahu and Ravi Kumar Sahu was solemnized on 08.03.2019 as per social customs, and the deceased lived a normal married life for several years. The applicants never demanded any dowry nor subjected the deceased to any form of cruelty. It is further submitted that the deceased was suffering from various ailments and was mentally distressed, due to which she used to frequently visit her parental home after minor matrimonial disputes. Meetings were also convened within the community to resolve suc