GURDEV SINGH Vs. STATE OF PUNJAB

JUDGEMENT

(1.) ARGUMENTS heard. A case under Sections 304-B, 498-A and 201 of the Indian Penal Code is registered against the petitioners. Petitioners are parents-in-law of the deceased. How the deceased died even the petitioners are unable to disclose. According to the petitioners' learned counsel when the deceased was being taken to the hospital, on the way, she died and immediately the dead body was brought back home. Her parents were informed and cremation was performed. The police has yet to find out the cause of death and attending circumstances. According to the petitioner's learned counsel, the deceased was married with the petitioners' son on 8.4.1990; the date of occurrence is 21.5.1997. Thus, according to her, a case under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code could not have been registered. Respondent' learned counsel submits that even this point is under investigation. Because on the basis of the evidence collected, the date of marriage is yet to be ascertained; therefore, the offence continues to be registered under Section 304-B of the Indian Penal Code. The matter is still under investigation. Petitioners are not joining the investigation and they are avoiding arrest. Petitioner No. 2 is mother-in-law of the deceased.

(2.) CONSIDERING the facts of the case, the petition is allowed qua petitioner No. 2 with the direction that she should join the investigation and on being arrested, if she furnishes bail bonds in the sum of Rs. 30,000/- with personal bond in the like amount, she be enlarged on bail. Petition qua petitioner No. 1 is dismissed.