SUMEET MAHAJAN Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Prayer in this petition filed under Section 438 Cr.PC is for grant of anticipatory bail to the petitioner in case FIR No.349 dated 19.9.2014 under Section 498-A IPC, Police Station A-Division, Amritsar. On the basis of complaint addressed to the Police Commissioner, Amritsar by complainant Shikha Mahajan, the aforesaid FIR was registered against her husband i.e. the petitioner and his other family members. The marriage of the complainant was solemnised with the petitioner on 6.8.2008 and at the time of marriage, the parents of the complainant had given sufficient dowry and handed over the dowry items to the accused. After the marriage, the complainant started living with her husband at her in-laws house No.2528, Sector 22-C, Chandigarh. However, after some time of the marriage, accused started taunting the complainant that her parents had given less dowry and whatever the dowry was given, was of inferior quality and it has lowered down their reputation in eyes of their Biradari. The complainant was asked to bring one Innova car and Rs.5 lacs in cash from her parents. However, the complainant had pleaded that her parents are poor and cannot fulfil such like demands. In October, 2008, she was given beatings and turned out of the matrimonial home. She narrated the whole story to her parents. On 29.5.2009, one male child Riyas was born to the complainant at her parents' house and the whole expenses of delivery were incurred by her parents.

(2.) In the aforesaid FIR, the petitioner had sought anticipatory bail before the Additional Sessions Judge, Amritsar. However, the same was declined vide order dated 13.10.2014. Thereafter, the petitioner had filed the instant petition before this Court under Section 438 Cr.P.C.

(3.) In view of the aforesaid order, the matter was referred to the Mediation and Conciliation Centre of this Court and, in fact, some compromise was reduced into writing on 9.3.2015 but the same was not seriously acted upon.