NIRMALA JAYANTILAL GADA Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The Applicant is seeking anticipatory bail in connection with C.R.No. 351/2020 registered at Dindoshi Police Station, Mumbai on 3.7.2020 under Sections 498-A, 304-B, 406 read with Section 34 of I.P.C. and under Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.

(2.) The F.I.R. is lodged on 3.7.2020 by one Ishwarlal Anandji Gala in respect of suicide committed by his daughter Devanshi. He has stated in his F.I.R. that Devanshi had got married to one Latesh Gada, who is Applicant's son; in February, 2018. The F.I.R. mentions that at the time of engagement and at the time of marriage, the first informant had spent considerable amount on the ornaments and other articles. The first informant had extended financial assistance to the married couple for going on a trip to a foreign country. The money was given after Latesh had demanded it through his wife Devanshi. After the couple came back from their trip, the other family members i.e. the Applicant who was mother-in-law of Devanshi, her father-in-law, her brother-in-law Hemal, Hemal's wife Vaishali and Latesh himself used to harass her. They used to ask Devanshi to bring money from the first informant. On one occasion, the first informant paid him Rs.1 Lakh. After Devanshi's first Diwali festival after marriage, the first informant gave expensive diamond set and other ornaments. Latesh was given diamond pendent. Inspite of that, Devanshi was constantly harassed and abused. The Applicant used to make Devanshi work even when Devanshi was not well. Devanshi was constantly complaining to her parents. It is mentioned in the FIR that Devanshi was abused and beaten.

(3.) In July 2019, Devanshi was driven out of her matrimonial house. She had gone to the first informant's place. Latesh demanded Rs.3 Lakhs for taking her back. The first informant some how collected Rs.1,50,000/- and dropped her to the Applicant's house. It is alleged that the Applicant and her husband insulted the first informant. The FIR further goes on to mention different instances when she was constantly harassed and when Latesh had extracted money from the first informant.