SAT PAL SETHI Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioners seek anticipatory bail. I have heard the counsel for both the sides and perused the record. F.I.R. No. 141 dated 24.6.2000 has been registered under Sections 323, 498-A, 406, 506 and 34 IPC at police station Mahesh Nagar on the statement of Neeraj. Ist-petitioner Sat Pal Sethi and second-petitioner Kamlesh Sethi are the father-in-law and mother-in-law respectively of the complainant. Third-petitioner Geeta, fourth petitioner Meenakashi, fifth-petitioner Dolly are the sisters-in-law of the complainant whereas 6th-petitioner Rajesh is the husband of the fifth- petitioner Dolly. The marriage between the complainant and her husband Ashish Sethi took place on 17.12.1999.

(2.) THE complainant has alleged that after the marriage her parents had given Rs. 21,000/- but she has not mentioned to whom the same was given. Though she has alleged that some time after the marriage her in-laws started beating her demanding dowry, she has not specifically mentioned as to who beat her. The complainant has also generally and vaguely alleged that whenever her three sisters-in-law came home, they used to slap her asking her why she has not brought money. Though she has alleged that the 5th-petitioner Dolly who is working in Ambala Cantonment used to come on holidays and give beatings to her, she has not given the dates and other details. Similarly without naming anybody the complainant has stated that she was compelled to drink urine. Another vague allegation is that all of them, whenever they collected, used to beat her and her head was struck against the floor and the walls, but she has not given any other details as to the date or time etc. She has also alleged that her father-in-law (first-petitioner) used to come on holidays, hold her improperly and say that the complainant is mistress of himself and his son. Here again she has not given any date or time.

(3.) THE complainant has alleged that on 23.2.2000 her father-in-law and mother-in-law (petitioners No. 1 and 2) gave her beatings making a demand for a colour television, fridge, scooter, washing machine or their value. But, though she has stated that she has written a letter about this to her parents, on which her parents allegedly came on 5.3.2000 and gave Rs. 50,000/- to Ashish Sethi, the abovesaid letter has not been produced. Even according to the complainant the money was paid to her husband only. According to the learned counsel for the petitioners they are living separately at Ambala and that the first-petitioner is working at Ludhiana.