MEENA ARUN SATAV Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The four Applicants are the in-laws of the deceased, who committed suicide on 21/11/2020 in her matrimonial house. Applicant No.1 is the mother-in-law, Applicant No.2 is the father- in-law, Applicant No.3 is the brother in law and Applicant No.4 is the maternal uncle of the husband of the deceased i.e. the brother of Applicant No.1. Apprehending their arrest in C.R. No.0571 of 2020 registered with Baramati City Police Station, Pune, thereby invoking Sections 306 , 498A , 323 , 504 , 506 and 34 of the IPC, the Applicants are before this Court.

(2.) Apropos to note that Accused No.1 Ajit Arun Satav, the husband of the deceased has already been arrested. The calamitous incident took place on 21/11/2020 and, on its occurrence, the Complainant, brother of the deceased approached the police station and lodged a complaint in respect thereof. The Complainant assert that the deceased was married to the son of Applicant Nos.1 and 2 on 11/07/2013 and, out of the said wedlock, two children are born; the elder being 5 years old and the younger being 2 years old. It is alleged that after solemnization of the marriage, his sister was subjected to mental harassment on account of not performing the marriage commensurating to their standard in society. An explanation is given that at the time of marriage, the family of the Applicants had informed that they should not give any utensils or wares of daily use and, therefore, they were not given but whatever they felt customary, was offered. It is then alleged that for the last seven years, their daughter was subjected to mental harassment and it is alleged that her in-laws always held themselves in dominant position and they accepted their subordinate position, being the girl's side.

(3.) On 21/11/2020 at 06.30 a.m., the deceased made a phone call to the Complainant and she narrated that her in-laws have asked her relatives to come for a meeting so that the topic should be put to an end. In a whimpering tone, she urged the Complainant to immediately come. The Complainant's wife also spoke to her and while she was narrating her woes, it is alleged that Accused No.1 was verbally abusing her and simultaneously she was being assaulted and the Complainant requested to desist from such act. He could overhear that her husband and her in-laws were abusing her and asking the Complainant and his family to come immediately. At around 08.00 a.m., the deceased again made a phone call on her mother's phone and she stated that they have been called for a meeting but she also said that only the brother and his wife should come and restrained her parents from attending the meeting as she apprehended that they would be treated in a disrespectful way. Thereafter, at 08.22 a.m, Applicant No.1 is alleged to have called the Complainant informing him that the deceased had shut her bedroom door and is apprehensive that she would take some extreme step. Immediately thereafter at 08.24 a.m, he received another phone call from Accused No.1 that the deceased had closed her bedroom door from inside and he was just informing. At 08.24 a.m., his mother made a phone call on the mobile phone of the deceased when she vented that she wanted to talk to her but immediately disconnected the phone. The mother of the deceased attempted to establish contact with her but she could not succeed. At 08.32 a.m., Applicant No.1 is alleged to have made a phone call informing that the deceased hanged herself in her bedroom. Thereafter, she was taken to a private hospital in Baramati and on the visit, it is reported that there were blackish bluish marks on her body as well as on her neck. The Complainant has expressed that the deceased was well behaved, strong and not feeble, who could not have taken such an extreme step in absence of physical and mental torture. It is in this backdrop, offence under Sections 498A and 306 of the IPC have been invoked.