LAWS(BOM)-1996-11-88

KANTIRAM @ NILKANTH Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

Decided On November 28, 1996
Kantiram @ Nilkanth Appellant
V/S
STATE OF MAHARASHTRA Respondents

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This matter involves a prayer for anticipatory bail in Crime No. 114 of 1996 registered by Police Station Khapa. Indeed the offence that is involved, is said to be one under section 306, Indian Penal Code on the background of failure of some love affair between the deceased and the applicant No. 2 Indrajit. On the background of that what is said is that the accused uttered filthy words in relation to the chastity of the deceased and they further uttered that she should die. This was with a view to cut off relations between Indrajit and the deceased. On the background that the deceased seems to have received burns and died, there is no consistent theory with respect to whether the death was accidental or suicidal, the reason being that though the reply of the State indicates that even on 9-10-1996, before registering any crime an information regarding the accidental death goes from the Mayo Hospital to the Police Station, still there also appears to be oral dying declaration made by the deceased on 4-10-1996, a dying declaration received by the Police Constable which he reduced to writing and also a dying declaration recorded by the Executive Magistrate on 8-10-1996, wherein there seems to be a consistent case as regards the suicide on account of the failure of the love affair and the instigation of the accused. In spite of this consistency, the offences could not come to be registered for as many as 7 days i.e. till 13th of November, 1996. Though the investigation papers are referred to show that there was no case of any information being received about the deceased suffering burns while cooking food and, a reference to that in the reply in para 2 cannot satisfactorily explain or justify any truly dependable prima facie position.

(2.) Normally remedy of anticipatory bail would not be available in cases where prima facie dependable allegations in respect of serious offence are alleged. However, two factors which weigh in considering this case differently from the one described above, i.e. that in spite of the police papers indicating consistent theory of suicide, the earlier steps taken by the police indicate accidental death. Reference to burns received while cooking made in the reply filed by the State does not seem to have any justification to ignore it and that there was delay of seven days in registering the crime which also equally seems to be a factor which needs to be taken into consideration. On the background of this, this case stands on the different footing than one where relief under section 438, Criminal Procedure Code should be refused.

(3.) The allegations was that the applicant was absconding. Well, mere description that a person is absconding would not be enough. In order to avoid involvement in a case which a person considers to be unjustified against him, a person may also make effort only to keep himself, away from the police machinery. In my view, therefore, relief under section 438, Criminal Procedure Code is deserved in this case and it is a fit case. However, it shall be subject to the following directions: