CHINTA VAMSHI Vs. STATE OF TELANGANA

JUDGEMENT

(1.) This Criminal Petition is filed under Sec. 482 of Code of Criminal Procedure (for short 'Cr.P.C.') by the petitioner/respondent seeking to set aside the impugned order dtd. 11/8/2022 in Crl.M.P.No.708 of 2022 in M.C.No.6 of 2021 passed by the Judicial First Class Magistrate, Ramannapet, Yadadri-Bhongir District.

(2.) Heard Sri B.Ramesh, learned Senior Counsel representing Ms.R.Swarnalatha, learned counsel for the petitioner; Sri S.Ganesh, learned Assistant Public Prosecutor for respondent No.1-State and Sri V.Yadu Krishna Sainath, learned counsel representing Ms.K.Kiran Mayee, learned counsel for respondent No.2. Perused the record.

(3.) The facts of the case, in brief, are that respondent No.2 in M.C.No.6 of 2021 is the legally wedded wife of the petitioner and their marriage was solemnized on 6/3/2020 as per Hindu rites, customs and traditions. Prior to their marriage, the betrothal ceremony was held on 10/2/2020 in Devisree Gardens in Valigonda Town and in the said ceremony, an amount of Rs.21,00,000.00 was fixed as dowry. Out of the said amount, the parents of respondent No.2 paid an amount of Rs.5,00,000.00 to the mother of the petitioner on the very same day. Moreover, at the time of marriage, the parents of respondent No.2 gave 25 tulas of gold, an amount of Rs.3,00,000.00 for purchase of marriage clothes and further paid balance amount towards dowry i.e., total amount of Rs.21,00,000.00. It is further alleged that the marriage was performed in a grand manner as per the will and wish of family members of the petitioner and that the parents of respondent No.2 are very poor and they do not have movable or immovable properties. After marriage, the petitioner and respondent No.2 lead a happy marital life for only one month. Thereafter, the petitioner along with his mother started harassing her by demanding additional dowry and also started ignoring respondent No.2, due to which, the respondent No.2 is staying with her parents. As respondent No.2 is unable to maintain herself and as petitioner was working in Infosis company and drawing a salary of Rs.1,20,000.00 per month, she filed M.C.No.6 of 2021 and Crl.M.P.No.708 of 2022 in M.C.No.6 of 2021 claiming an amount of Rs.50,000.00 as interim maintenance per month.