ANKIT Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) The instant appeal has been filed by the appellant for setting aside the order dtd. 1/3/2024 passed by the Court of learned Additional Sessions Judge, Panipat in case arising out of FIR No.330 dtd. 24/7/2022 registered under Ss. 304-B, 34 and 498-A of IPC and Ss. 3 (1) (r) and 3 (2) (v) of the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (For short 'SC&ST Act') at Police Station Model Town, Panipat, District Panipat, whereby prayer made by the appellant for grant of regular bail had been declined.

(2.) Brief facts of the case relevant for the purpose of disposal of the present appeal are that on 21/7/2022, on receipt of an information at the police control room, Panipat regarding admission of one Anjali wife of Ankit in Ravindra Hospital, Panipat as a case of hanging, a police party rushed towards the hospital and obtained opinion of doctor regarding the condition of the victim. She was opined to be unfit to make statement on that date as well as on 22/7/2022. On 23/7/2022, she had been referred to PGI Khanpur. On 24/7/2022, information was received regarding her death. On the same day, a written complaint was submitted by the complainant Karnail Singh i.e. father of the victim alleging therein that on 30/11/2020, his daughter had performed love marriage with the accused Ankit Sharma. The families of both the sides had given consent for the marriage. Few months after her marriage, his daughter told him that the members of her in-laws family used to raise demand of dowry and taunt her by calling her by name of her caste. He alleged that some months back, Anjali visited his house and informed him that the appellant Ankit was having illicit relationship with his neighbourer Richa Sharma and she had even seen them in compromising position. She also informed him that all the members of her in-laws family used to call her as 'chamari, dhed, kameeni, randi' and teased her on caste basis. His daughter had even reported the matter to the police but by pacifying her, her in-laws used to take her back home.

(3.) The complainant further alleged that he received information regarding the death of the victim only on the evening of 24/7/2022, from his brother-in-law and also alleged that she had been killed by the appellant and his family members. After registration of FIR, investigation proceedings were initiated. The appellant was arrested on 25/7/2022. After completion of investigation, challan was presented before the learned trial Court and presently, he is facing trial for commission of aforementioned offences. He had moved application for grant of regular bail before the learned trial Court which was dismissed vide the impugned order dtd. 1/3/2024.