PRITAM KAUR Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) HEARD , Learned counsel for the petitioner submits that the petitioners is a lady of about 60 year and she had been in custody since 14th March, 1995. He further submits that there is not specific allegation for demand of dowry of the petitioner and even as per the allegations in the F.I.R., the petitioner did not like the deceased daughter -in -law as she had not given birth to a child though she was married for a period of about 2 -1/2 years. He, therefore, contends that the petitioner should be released on bail.

(2.) MR . Garg, learned A.A.G., however, submits that there is a clear allegation that the petitioner and her husband (father -in -law of the deceased) started harassing the petitioner for bringing less dowry and as per all allegations they were also harassing the deceased as she had not given birth to any child. He, further submits that as per allegations made in the F.I.R., the petitioner and her husband were present at the time of occurrence but they left the house.

(3.) I have given my thoughtful consideration to the submissions made by the learned counsel of the parties and have perused the contents of the F.I.R. From the F.I.R. I find that there are allegations that the petitioner had tortured the deceased for bringing the less dowry and she was harassed on another point that the deceased had not given birth to any child. Admittedly, the present case is a case of unnatural death which happened within a period of 7 years of the marriage. Besides, as per the allegations when the deceased was lying unconscious and froth was coming out of her mouth, the petitioner and her husband who were present, left the house and did not take the deceased to any hospital.