DHANRAJ SHANTARAM KUWAR Vs. STATE OF MAHARASHTRA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The petitioner is involved in offences under section 306, 498-A of the Indian Penal Code, registered at CR No.236/97, at Ambad Police Station, Ambad Dist. Nasik. Petitioner was married to daughter of first informant by name Sangita. The FIR recites that at the time when marriage took place, petitioner made various demands for money, utensils etc. and also claimed Rs.30,000/- spent by him for getting job as Primary Teacher. Because of such demands made by the petitioner and harassment, Sangita committed suicide by hanging on 15-12-1997. Information thereof was lodged by her father-Tarachand on 17-12-1997 and petitioner came to be arrested on 22-12-1997. He had applied for grant of bail to the Sessions Court, Nasik, but his application came to be rejected.

(2.) I have heard Shri Karnik for the petitioner and Shri Mhaispurkar, A.P.P. for the Respondent-State. Shri Behere, A.P.P. last time, had asked for some time to take instructions. Shri Mhaispurkar, today states that no instructions are received till today. Shri Mhaispurkar relied on decision of the Supreme Court in Mahendra Singh and anr. vs. State of Madhya Pradesh, 1996 CrLJ 894 as well as decision of this Court in - Satish Narayan Ate Vs. State of Maharashtra, 1997 CrLJ 935 However, at this stage, these decisions may not be of much assistance, when case is yet to be heard on merits, but having regard to the facts, I find this to be a fit case to grant bail.

(3.) Accordingly, petitioner is ordered to be released on bail on his furnishing solvent surety of Rs.5,000/- (five thousand) and PR bond for like amount.