High Court · 2025

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned Additional Advocate representing the State. Government

2. The instant bail application under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. has been filed on behalf of the applicant with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 431 of 2024, under Sections 351(3), 80(2), 85 of B.N.S. and Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act, Police Station Bhogaon, District Mainpuri, during the pendency of trial.

3. As per the prosecution case, in brief, complainant who is brother of the deceased-Dimple lodged a first information report on 02.11.2024 against Yogendra alias Bablu, Rajveer Singh, Variyar Shri, Vineeta and Pankaj Kumari, who are husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law (jethani) and sister-in-law (nanad) of the deceased respectively making allegations inter alia that marriage of his sister Dimple was solemnized on 26.05.2022 with Yogendra alias Bablu. In the marriage informant had given sufÏcient dowry but his sister's in-laws were not satisfied and there was consistent demand of a Bullet motorcycle and a gold chain. On account of non-fulfilment of said demand, his sister was beaten and got injured. Thereafter, she was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Information about the said incident was given by father-in-law of his sister on 30.10.2024 at about 9:30 P.M. On the said information he reached at the spot, but did not find anyone in the house.

4. It is argued by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is father-in-law of the deceased. The allegation of demand of dowry and harassment of the deceased in her matrimonial home are wholly false and based upon the concocted facts. Referring the statement of the complainant, it is submitted that the complainant during investigation has stated that about two-three months ago husband of his sister started beating and harassing his sister after drinking alcohol and demanding a Bullet motorcycle. On account of said reason, deceased committed suicide by hanging herself. Much emphasis has been given by contending that sincere efforts have been made to save the life of the deceased because after the incident, she was immediately brought to hospital and got admitted on 30.10.2024 at 19.50 hours in Medical College, Safa Etawah and thereafter applicant gave information to the complainant on 30.10.2024 at 9.30 P.M. Deceased died during her treatment on 31.10.2024 at 12.22 A.M. Information about her death was given by ward-boy of the Medical College, on which police came and conducted inquest proceeding. During inquest proceeding the complainant and his other relatives were very much present but they did not lodge F.I.R. on that day, but the same was lodged on 02.11.2024 in order to settle his personal score. Referring the postmortem report, it is submitted that cause of death of the deceased was asphyxia due to ante- mortem hanging. Lastly, it is submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that there is no chance of the applicant of fleeing away from the judicial process or tampering with the prosecution evidence. The applicant is languishing in jail since 25.12.2024 having no criminal history to his credit and in case he is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail and will cooperate in the early disposal of the case.

5. Per contra, learned Additional Government Advocate for the State opposed the prayer for bail of the applicant by contending that deceased died her unnatural death within two and a half years of her marriage, therefore, in the light of presumption under Sections 117 and 118 of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, bail application of the applicant is liable to be rejected.

6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and examined the matter in its entirety, I find that general allegation of demand of dowry has been levelled without attributing any specific role against the applicant. The cause of death of the deceased is due to asphyxia as a result of ante-mortem hanging. The complainant in his statement has made specific allegation of beating the decease against her husband, hence case of husband of the deceased is distinguishable from the case of applicant. Information about the death of the deceased was promptly given by the applicant to the brother of the deceased, which shows his natural conduct which is also relevant for considering bail.

7. Considering the over all facts and circumstances of the case as well as keeping in view the nature of the offence, evidence, complicity of the accused and submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, I am of the view that the applicant has made out a fit case for bail. Hence, the bail application is hereby allowed.

8. Let the applicant-Rajveer Singh, be released on bail in the aforesaid case crime number on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions: (i) That the applicant shall cooperate with the expeditious disposal of the trial and shall regularly attend the court unless inevitable. (ii) That the applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police ofÏcer or tamper with the evidence. (iii) That after his release, the applicant shall not involve in any criminal activity. (iv) The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by court concerned before the release of the applicant on bail.

9. In case of breach of any of the conditions mentioned above, court concerned will be at liberty to cancel the bail of the applicant.

10. It is made clear that the observations contained in the instant order are confined to the issue of bail only and shall not affect the merit of the trial. Order Date :- 28.2.2025 Kashifa KASHIFA High Court of Judicature at Allahabad

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant as well as learned Additional Advocate representing the State. Government

2. The instant bail application under Section 483 of B.N.S.S. has been filed on behalf of the applicant with a prayer to release him on bail in Case Crime No. 431 of 2024, under Sections 351(3), 80(2), 85 of B.N.S. and Section 3/4 Dowry Prohibition Act, Police Station Bhogaon, District Mainpuri, during the pendency of trial.

3. As per the prosecution case, in brief, complainant who is brother of the deceased-Dimple lodged a first information report on 02.11.2024 against Yogendra alias Bablu, Rajveer Singh, Variyar Shri, Vineeta and Pankaj Kumari, who are husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law (jethani) and sister-in-law (nanad) of the deceased respectively making allegations inter alia that marriage of his sister Dimple was solemnized on 26.05.2022 with Yogendra alias Bablu. In the marriage informant had given sufÏcient dowry but his sister's in-laws were not satisfied and there was consistent demand of a Bullet motorcycle and a gold chain. On account of non-fulfilment of said demand, his sister was beaten and got injured. Thereafter, she was taken to hospital, where doctors declared her dead. Information about the said incident was given by father-in-law of his sister on 30.10.2024 at about 9:30 P.M. On the said information he reached at the spot, but did not find anyone in the house.

4. It is argued by learned counsel for the applicant that the applicant is father-in-law of the deceased. The allegation of demand of dowry and harassment of the deceased in her matrimonial home are wholly false and based upon the concocted facts. Referring the statement of the complainant, it is submitted that the complainant during investigation has stated that about two-three months ago husband of his sister started beating and harassing his sister after drinking alcohol and demanding a Bullet motorcycle. On account of said reason, deceased committed suicide by hanging herself. Much emphasis has been given by contending that sincere efforts have been made to save the life of the deceased because after the incident, she was immediately brought to hospital and got admitted on 30.10.2024 at 19.50 hours in Medical College, Safa Etawah and thereafter applicant gave information to the complainant on 30.10.2024 at 9.30 P.M. Deceased died during her treatment on 31.10.2024 at 12.22 A.M. Information about her death was given by ward-boy of the Medical College, on which police came and conducted inquest proceeding. During inquest proceeding the complainant and his other relatives were very much present but they did not lodge F.I.R. on that day, but the same was lodged on 02.11.2024 in order to settle his personal score. Referring the postmortem report, it is submitted that cause of death of the deceased was asphyxia due to ante- mortem hanging. Lastly, it is submitted by learned counsel for the applicant that there is no chance of the applicant of fleeing away from the judicial process or tampering with the prosecution evidence. The applicant is languishing in jail since 25.12.2024 having no criminal history to his credit and in case he is released on bail, he will not misuse the liberty of bail and will cooperate in the early disposal of the case.

5. Per contra, learned Additional Government Advocate for the State opposed the prayer for bail of the applicant by contending that deceased died her unnatural death within two and a half years of her marriage, therefore, in the light of presumption under Sections 117 and 118 of Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, bail application of the applicant is liable to be rejected.

6. Having heard learned counsel for the parties and examined the matter in its entirety, I find that general allegation of demand of dowry has been levelled without attributing any specific role against the applicant. The cause of death of the deceased is due to asphyxia as a result of ante-mortem hanging. The complainant in his statement has made specific allegation of beating the decease against her husband, hence case of husband of the deceased is distinguishable from the case of applicant. Information about the death of the deceased was promptly given by the applicant to the brother of the deceased, which shows his natural conduct which is also relevant for considering bail.

7. Considering the over all facts and circumstances of the case as well as keeping in view the nature of the offence, evidence, complicity of the accused and submissions of the learned counsel for the parties, I am of the view that the applicant has made out a fit case for bail. Hence, the bail application is hereby allowed.

8. Let the applicant-Rajveer Singh, be released on bail in the aforesaid case crime number on furnishing a personal bond and two sureties each in the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned with the following conditions: (i) That the applicant shall cooperate with the expeditious disposal of the trial and shall regularly attend the court unless inevitable. (ii) That the applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the court or to any police ofÏcer or tamper with the evidence. (iii) That after his release, the applicant shall not involve in any criminal activity. (iv) The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by court concerned before the release of the applicant on bail.

9. In case of breach of any of the conditions mentioned above, court concerned will be at liberty to cancel the bail of the applicant.

10. It is made clear that the observations contained in the instant order are confined to the issue of bail only and shall not affect the merit of the trial. Order Date :- 28.2.2025 Kashifa KASHIFA High Court of Judicature at Allahabad