LALIT KUMAR Vs. BALDEV RAJ AND OTHERS

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The present petition lays challenge to order dated 12.02.2013 passed by the Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar, whereby respondents No.1 & 2 have been acquitted of the charges framed against them while affirming the judgment dated 30.11.2009 passed by the Judicial Magistrate Ist Class, Amritsar.

(2.) The facts relevant for the disposal of the present petition are that the petitioner performed marriage of his sister with Mukesh Chander. It was revealed later that Mukesh Chander was already married having two children. At the time of marriage, sufficient dowry was given i.e. gold ornaments and expensive cloths. 3/4 days after the marriage, Mukesh Chander and his parents went back to Malaysia. When Shobha Rani, sister of the petitioner joined them at Malaysia, she was subject to harassment on account of demand of dowry by her husband and his parents. The petitioner met respondent No.2 and requested him to ask in-laws family of his sister not to harass her.

(3.) Counsel for the petitioner submits that respondents No.1 & 2 acted as mediators in settling marriage of Mukesh Chander and Shobha Rani. The respondents intentionally concealed the fact of earlier marriage of Mukesh Chander and his two children from the said marriage and therefore, they are guilty of offence under Section 420 IPC. It is further argued that respondents No.1 & 2 are not strangers to the other accused, therefore, they had the knowledge that Mukesh Chander was already married.