SATBIR SINGH Vs. STATE OF HARYANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) Heard. According to the allegations made by Mange Ram son of Risal Singh, his daughter Bimal was married to Satpal about 3 years ago, Satpal's father Sri Ram, brothers Satbir Singh, Baljit Singh, mother Sukhma were not satisfied with the dowry which she had brought in marriage. After a year of Bimla's marriage to Satpal, they started harassing her saying that she should bring Rs. 20-25 thousand from her parents. Her parents were unable to fulfil this demand of her in-laws. Her father Mange Ram went to them and requested them that he was a poor man; he was unable to fulfil this demand of their's and they assured Mange Ram that in future they will not lay any demand. Bimla was sent to the matrimonial home when assurance had been given to Mange Ram by his "Kuram" Sri Ram and his "Kuram's" elder brother Jora that no such demand would be laid on her. Her in-laws however, did not stop harassing her. They raised demand for fridge. They mal-treated Bimla when their demand was not being fulfilled. Eventually, Bimla was turned out of the matrimonial home. She gave birth to a son when she was with her parents. She was sent to the matrimonial home along with her child. 15 days thereafter, she returned to her parents and told them weepingly that she was mal-treated by every member of her in-law's family saying that she had not brought fridge and she be not allowed to enter the matrimonial home. Her father Mange Ram told her that it was not within his means to satisfy this demand of her in-laws. Bimla told her father that her life would be in danger if fridge was not given in pursuance to the demand of her in-laws. In case he was not able to give her fridge, he should at least give her Rs. 3,000/- for the purchase of Buggi. He gave her Rs. 3,000/- and sent her to the matrimonial home. Still, they did not feel satisfied and tormented by their ill-treatment, she burnt herself to death and she burnt her child also to death on 25.4.1996.

(2.) So far as the allegation respecting demand of Rs. 20/25 thousand or fridge is concerned that has been levelled against Satbir Singh, Baljit Singh, Satpal their father Sri Ram and their mother Sukhma. It is submitted by the learned counsel for the petitioner that both the petitioners are separate from their brother Satpal. They are putting up in separate harries and are holding separate ration cards and there was no reason for them to lay any demand for Rs. 20/25 thousand or fridge. It is next submitted by him that in case she had brought any money or fridge, that would have been fitted not Satbir Singh or Baljit Singh but her, her husband and her child.

(3.) Keeping in view the facts and circumstances of the case, I allow bail to the petitioners which shall be subject to the satisfaction of CJM, Jind.