JAGIR KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) THE present petition under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (in short Cr.P.C.") has been filed for issuance of direction to respondents No. 1 and 2 to protect life and liberty of the petitioner and her family members from false implication in criminal cases at the instigation of respondents No.4 to 12.

(2.) COUNSEL for the petitioner contends that Harjit Kaur, daughter of the petitioner was married to one Jagtar Singh son of Sadhu Singh resident of village Khan Chhapri Sahib, District Tarn Taran. She (Harjit Kaur) was harassed for dowry by her in laws and on 18.10.2012, she was set on fire and later died due to burn injuries. On the basis of statement of Harjit Kaur, criminal case for commission of offence punishable under Sections 302, 498 -A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (in short "IPC") vide FIR No. 194 dated 18.10.2012 was registered against Jagtar Singh and others. After investigation, report under Section 173 Cr.P.C. was filed against Jagtar Singh and Avtar Singh and the case is pending before the trial court.

(3.) AFTER registration of the aforesaid FIR, respondent No. 4 a relative of the accused party approached the petitioner and her family and pressurized them to compromise the matter. On their refusal, respondent No. 4 through his relatives and friends i.e. respondents No. 5 to 12 has started filing false applications against the petitioner that she had taken money on the pretext of getting service in the police. It is argued that the petitioner made repeated representations to the authorities but they did not pay any heed to her grievance. It is further argued that as the petitioner is suffering due to pendency of criminal proceedings legitimately lodged in regard to murder of her daughter, life and liberty of the petitioner which is under threat at the behest of respondents No. 4 to 12 is liable to be protected.