N THULASI DOSS Vs. T SUMATHI

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The first accused in C.C.No.139/2003 on the file of the District Munsif-cum-Judicial Magistrate, Vandavasi, is the petitioner.

(2.) The complainant is the wife of the petitioner and their marriage was solemnised on 24.2.1997. At the time of the marriage, the parents of the respondent have given gold jewels and also paid a sum of Rs.2000/-, towards the purchase of dress materials, for the bridegroom. After the marriage, it appears the married life of the petitioner and the respondent was not so happy, because of the conduct of the husband, as well as his relatives. It seems, they have demanded money, even prior to the marriage, for the purchase of house and the said demand continued, thereafter also. Because of the dowry demand, followed by harassment or cruelty, the wife was unable to live, in the matrimonial home and the husband dropped her, at her parents' house, informing her, unless the dowry was paid, she could not live with him.

(3.) The petitioner had preferred an application, for restitution of the conjugal right and the matter was thereafter settled, to some extent, by the intervention of the elders. According to the complainant, even thereafter, in January 2001, there was a dowry demand for buying house, despite the fact, the jewels of the respondent/complainant had been sold. It seems, at the instigation of the relatives, the husband/petitioner is said to have attacked the respondent at her house, in the month of September and November 2001. In view of the endless torture and causing cruelty to the wife, making persistent demand for dowry, the wife, who had come to the matrimonial home, unable to find a peaceful home, parted the same and thereafter, in order to have redress, she filed a complaint before the Court. The said complaint was forwarded to the police, under Section 156(3) Cr.P.C., for investigation, but it seems there was no fruitful result. Thereafter, even approaching the police, the wife unable to get the required relief, once again approached the same Court, for the relief, by filing a second complaint, which was taken on file as C.C.No.139/2003, wherein this accused is shown as A1 and his relatives are arrayed as A2-A6.