BALWANT SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) A petition under Section 438 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (in short, "Cr.P.C.") for grant of anticipatory bail was filed by the petitioners in case First Information Report No.8 dated 19.03.2015 under Section 498 -A read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code (in short, "I.P.C.") registered at Police Station Women Cell, District Ferozepur.

(2.) THIS case was registered on a complaint given by Ramandeep Kaur daughter of Satnam Singh, resident of Jhok Sarkari District Faridkot to Senior Superintendent of Police, Ferozepur. Her allegations were that she was married to Rajwinder Singh son of Balwant Singh (petitioner No.1) and Manjit Kaur (petitioner No.2) of Nazu Shah Mishri Wala, District Ferozepur. Her parents spent huge money beyond their capacity on the dowry articles given in marriage which included car, jewellery etc. Her husband is in Army. As and when he came home he would demand more dowry on the asking of his parents and sisters. She used to be harassed and maltreated by her father -in -law, mother -in -law and sisters -in -law (husband's sister) for bringing inadequate dowry. On 27.03.2014, her husband and all other members of the family demanded dowry and when she expressed her inability to satisfy their demand, they gave her severe beatings. The same day, when her father called her to enquire her well being, she narrated about the occurrence to him, on which he alongwith her brother Kamaljeet Singh came and tried to make her in -laws understand but as they were adamant, her father got her admitted in the hospital where her statement was recorded on the basis of which First Information Report No.41 dated 31.03.2014 under Sections 498 -A, 323, 148 and 149 I.P.C. was registered at Police Station Kulgarhi. Subsequently, a compromise took place between her and her in -laws family, pursuant to which the First Information Report was quashed by the High Court at Chandigarh. The attitude of her husband and in -laws still did not change and they continued to maltreat her and demanded a big SUV car. On 16.11.2014, when she was residing at her maternal grandfather (Nana)'s house, her husband Rajwinder Singh forcibly entered the house and gave her beatings. In respect to the incident, First Information Report No.78 dated 18.11.2014 under Sections 452, 323 and 506 I.P.C. was registered at Police Station Sadik. Subsequent to the said occurrence, the instant case bearing First Information Report No.8 dated 19.03.2015 under Section 498 -A read with Section 34 I.P.C. was got registered by the complainant demanding strict action against her husband and other members of in -laws family.

(3.) HEARD the submissions made by Mr. B.S. Sidhu, learned counsel representing the petitioner, Ms. Simsi Dhir Malhotra, Deputy Advocate General, Punjab and Mr. Raman Goklaney, learned counsel representing the complainant.