IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT INDORE BEFORE HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE SANJEEV S KALGAONKAR

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ON THE 10 OF FEBRUARY, 2026 MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 50116 of 2024 MUKESH SINGH SOM AND OTHERS Versus THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS Appearance:

Shri Anuj Bhargava - Advocate for the petitioners.

Shri Gaurav Rawat - Govt. Advocate for the respondent/State.

Shri Raghuveer Singh Khinchi - Advocate for the respondent [R-2].

ORDER This petition u/S 482 of the Cr.P.C. is filed for quashment of FIR bearing Crime No. 250/2024 alongwith consequential proceedings registered at P.S. Nanakheda Distt. Ujjain for offence punishable u/S 498A and 34 of IPC against the petitioners - Mukesh Singh Som, Nisha Som, Durdaman Singh Chouhan and Madhu Chouhan

2. The exposition of facts giving rise to present petition is as under:

a. Petitioner/complainant - Ruchi Som W/o Late Chandraparatap Singh Som submitted a written complaint to the P.S. Nanakheda alleging that she was married to Chandrapratap Singh Som on 15.01.2020 as per Hind Rites and Rituals. Her parents have given household articles in dowry at the time of marriage. Her Maternal Uncle-in-law Duradman Singh Chouhan, Maternal Aunt Madhu Chouhan who used to visit her maternal home alongwith her father-in- law, mother-in-law harassed her mentally and physically for bringing inadequate dowry. On 28.08.2023, her husband Chandrapratap Singh Chouhan had expired. After the death of her husband, her Maternal Uncle-in-law Duradman Singh Chouhan, Maternal Aunt Madhu Chouhan and her father-in-law, mother-in-law constantly harassed her for bringing inadequate dowry and also taunt her for the death of her husband. She reported the matter to P.S. Nanakheda Distt. Ujjain. On such allegations, P.S. Nankheda registered FIR for offence punishable u/S 498A and 34 of IPC against Mukesh Singh, Nisha Som, Durdaman Singh Chouhan and Madhu Chouhan. The final report has been filed on completion of investigation.

b . Learned Judicial Magistrate First Class, Ujjain, framed charges for offence punishable u/S 498A and 34 of IPC against all the accused vide order dated 11.03.2025. The trial is pending for evidence. 3. The quashing of FIR and consequential proceedings is sought in present petition mainly on the following grounds:

(i) Petitioners have no interference in the life of respondent no.2 and her husband as they are living separately.

(ii) No specific dates and role of petitioners was mentioned in the complaint.

(iii) Ingredients of offence punishable u/S 498A are not made out from the allegations in the FIR.

4. Learned counsel for the petitioner in addition to the grounds mentioned in the petition submits that general and omnibus allegations have been made against the petitioners - Maternal Uncle-in-law Duradman Singh Chouhan, Maternal Aunt Madhu Chouhan, father-in-law Mukesh Singh Som and mother-in-law Nisha Som. The respondent no.2/complainant has alleged mental and physical harassment by the respondents for inadequate dowry. However, no specific date or specific incident has been mentioned by the petitioner in the written complaint filed by the respondent no. 2 or her statement recorded u/S 161 of Cr.P.C. There is delay in lodging of FIR. The alleged offence was not prima-facie made out. Petitioner no.1 - Mukesh Singh Som is working on the post Tracer(Anurekhak) in the Public Works Department Sub Division, Mahidpur Distt. Ujjain as per the Certificate issued by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Public Works Department, Block Mahidpur). Petitioners no. 3 and 4, Maternal Uncle-in-law Duradman Singh Chouhan, Maternal Aunt Madhu Chouhan are residing in a separate residence at Dabri Pitha, Ujjain. Petitioner no.4 - Madhu Chouhan is working as Middle School Teacher in Govt. Higher Secondary School, Barukhedi Mahidpur Road, Development Block Mahidpur Distt. Ujjain since 16.09.2002 as per the Certificate issued by the Principal of the school. All the family members have been implicated malafide to wreck vengeance. To bolster his subm