IN THE HIGH COURT OF MADHYA PRADESH AT GWALIOR BEFORE HON'BLE SHRI JUSTICE MILIND RAMESH PHADKE MISC. CRIMINAL CASE No. 36848 of 2025 PRAVEEN PARASHAR @ CHINTU Versus THE STATE OF MADHYA PRADESH AND OTHERS Appearance:

Shri Sameer Kumar Shrivastava - Advocate alongwith Shri Rahul Bansal - Advocate for the petitioner.

Shri Harish Sharma - Public Prosecutor for the State.

Shri Saurav Sagoriya - Advocate for respondent No.2.

RESERVED ON :- 28/01/2026 DELIVERD ON :- 3/02/2026 ORDER The present petition, under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, has been filed by the petitioner seeking quashment of F.I.R. bearing Crime No. 530 of 2022 registered at Police Station Maharajpura, District Gwalior, for the offences punishable under Sections 498-A, 304-B and 34 of the Indian Penal Code, along with all consequential proceedings arising therefrom.

The prosecution case, in brief, is that Smt. Deepa Parashar, aged about

25 years, was married to Praveen Parashar (present petitoner), resident of Sambhaji Rao Colony, Murar, District Gwalior, on 06.12.2020 according to Hindu rites and rituals. At the time of marriage, the parents of the deceased allegedly gave dowry beyond their financial capacity, including household articles such as a double bed, sofa set, refrigerator, and LED television, as well as gold ornaments weighing about two tolas. It was further alleged that a gold ring and chain were gifted to the groom and a sum of Rs.5,00,000/- in cash was also given. It was further alleged that about one month after the marriage, the deceased was subjected to physical and mental cruelty by her husband Praveen Parashar (present petitoner), father-in-law Naresh Parashar, elder brother-in-law Sandeep Parashar, and sister-in-law Hariomwati alias Guddiya, on account of additional demand of Rs.5,00,000/- in cash and a four-wheeler vehicle from her parental home. Due to the said harassment, the deceased submitted a written complaint dated 01.04.2022 at Police Station Morar against her husband and in-laws. On 17.06.2022 at about 5:00 PM, the informant Narendra Sharma, father of the deceased, received a telephonic call from his son-in-law Praveen Parashar (present petitoner) informing him that the deceased was unwell and admitted to Birla Hospital, Gwalior. When the informant reached the hospital, the deceased was declared dead by the attending doctor. On the basis of the said information, a Marg No.25of 2022 under Section 174 CrPC was registered at Police Station Maharajpura, District Gwalior, and enquiry was initiated. Inquest proceedings were conducted by the Naib Tehsildar and the post-mortem examination of the deceased was carried out. As the deceased was a newly married woman, the Marg enquiry was conducted by the City Superintendent of Police, Maharajpura. During the course of enquiry, statements of the deceased’s parents, siblings, husband (present petitoner), and other relatives were recorded. Marriage card, photographs, and the list of dowry articles were seized. It was alleged that despite efforts made by the father of the deceased to persuade the in-laws, the harassment continued. It was further alleged that being unable to bear the alleged cruelty and increasing dowry demands, the deceased became distressed and committed suicide by hanging on 17.06.2022 at about 5:00 PM at her matrimonial home situated at House No.BL-170, B-Block, D.D. Nagar, Gwalior. On completion of the Marg enquiry, it was found that the deceased had died an unnatural death within seven years of her marriage and was allegedly subjected to cruelty and harassment in connection with dowry demands. Accordingly, the Marg diary was forwarded for registration of offence, and an FIR was registered against Praveen Parashar (present petitoner), Naresh Parashar (father-in-law), Sandeep Parashar, and Hariomwati alias Guddiya for offences punishable under Sections 498-A, 304-B, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

After registration of FIR, investigation was carried out and charge-

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