DEVERAPALLI SURESH Vs. STATE OF ANDHRA PRADESH

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Petition is filed under Sec. 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (for short "Cr.P.C.") seeking pre-arrest bail to the petitioners/A1 to A3 in the event of their arrest in connection with Crime No.1178 of 2020 of Vedayapalem Police Station, SPSR Nellore District, registered for the offences punishable under Sec. 304-B read with 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (for short "I.P.C.').

(2.) The case of prosecution is that a complaint was lodged on 23/11/2020 by the father of the deceased Mounika stating that the marriage between the 1st petitioner/A.1 and the deceased took place on 12/6/2019 and at the time of marriage, they gave dowry of Rs.6.00 lakhs in cash and half acre of land. The deceased and the 1st petitioner lead happy marital life for a period of six months after their marriage and later the 1st petitioner/A.1 started harassing the deceased for additional dowry. It is further alleged that when the deceased fell sick, the petitioners brought her to Ramachandrareddy Hospital for treatment and later to her parents house in the month of June, 2020. It is alleged that the petitioners have visited the house of the de facto complainant and demanded them to give additional dowry of Rs.2.00 lakhs, for which they expressed their inability. Later, the petitioners replied that unless additional dowry amount is given, they will not take the deceased and she can die there itself. It is alleged that from that day onwards the deceased went in depression and committed suicide on 22/11/2020 by hanging herself when no body is available in the house. Prior to committing suicide, the deceased wrote two pages of letter in which she specifically stated about the harassment by the petitioners. Basing on the said complaint, the present crime is registered.

(3.) Heard Sri V.R. Machavaram, learned counsel for the petitioners and the learned Public Prosecutor for the respondent-State.