MEWA DEVI Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE petitioner seeks anticipatory bail in FIR No. 198 dated 9.9.2001 under Sections 498-A/304-B/34 IPC registered at Police Station Agroha, District Hisar.

(2.) THE present case was registered on the statement of Bhanwar Singh son of Ram Chander Singh resident of Satnali caste Rajput. Lakshmi alias Seema younger daughter of Bhanwar Singh had been married with Rajinder on 17.6.1997. Out of the wedlock on daughter Meena aged 1-1/2 years was born. At the time of marriage, the parents of Lakshmi alias Seema gave dowry articles beyond their status and capacity. After the marriage of Lakshmi alias Seema her husband Rajinder, mother-in-law Mewa, Balwant Singh, Hoshiar Singh Jeth, Pritam Singh Dewar, Bimla w/o Balwant Singh and Mesar w/o Hoshiar Singh Jethani used to taunt her for bringing insufficient dowry. Efforts were made by the complainant and his family members to persuade the above-named persons to allow the deceased to settle in the matrimonial home. A panchayat in this regard was also taken to their house. Subsequently, Lakshmi alias Seema returned to matrimonial home on 4.9.2001. On 9.9.2001 Krishan Singh conveyed message on telephone to the complainant that her daughter had died. Thereafter complainant (sic) members went to the house of (sic) Lakshmi alias Seema lying dead. They inquired the cause of death but no satisfactory reply had been given to them by the petitioner and her co-accused. In the post- mortem report conducted on 10.9.2001 no injury was found on the body of the deceased and cause of death has not been stated. Rather it has been mentioned in the report that the same will be determined after receiving report of the Chemical Examiner. The case was registered and investigated.

(3.) STATE counsel while opposing the bail application has mainly contended that the accusation against the petitioner as well as other accused is with regard to harassment of the deceased on account of insufficiency of dowry which led to the death of Lakshmi alias Seema.