PATNAIKUNI MADHURI ALIAS LAKSHMIKUMARI Vs. BARAVELLI SANDHYA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This criminal petition is filed under section 482 Cr.P.C. by A.3 to A.5 in PRC No.14 of 2007 on the file of I Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Visakhapatnam, seeking to quash the proceedings against them for the offences under Sections 498-A, 354, 342 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.

(2.) The first respondent herein gave a complaint to the police against the petitioners and 2 others-A.1 and A.2 and the same was registered as Cr.No.581 of 2006 and after due investigation, police filed a charge sheet before the First Additional Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Visakhapatnam and the learned Magistrate has taken cognizance of the offences under Sections 498-A, 354 and 342 IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act against all the accused in PRC No.14 of 2007 and issued process against them. Aggrieved by the same, the petitioners-A.3 to A.5 who are sisters of A.1-husband of first respondent- complainant, filed the present application for quashing the proceedings against them on the ground that they were all married long back and have been residing with their husbands and children at different places and they had absolutely nothing to do with the alleged offences and they are unnecessarily implicated just because they happened to be sisters of A.1.

(3.) Arguments of the learned counsel for the petitioners and learned counsel for the first respondent and the learned Public Prosecutor appearing for 2nd respondent are heard. Records are perused.