Harassing women for dowry should be dealt with sternly, observed Justice Bharati Dangre in Bombay High Court while rejecting a man’s anticipatory bail. The man had made a pre-arrest bail plea as he feared arrest due to the FIR lodged on February 4, 2022, by his wife at the Charkop police station. She had complained that he harassed her after she refused to hand over her jewellery to him and his family. She had further added that it was to save her marriage that she suffered through the harassment without taking legal action before.
In her complaint, she mentioned that two years ago, she was physically assaulted and thrown out of their house. After the police had gotten involved, her husband and family had assured them that they will not harass her again. However, she said that there was no improvement and she was continued to be beaten for her jewellery. In November 2020, she was beaten up with “fists and blows”.
That is when she approached the police station, fearing a threat to life. She also went on to stay with her parents.
The man’s advocate, pleading for anticipatory bail for him, said that his custodial interrogation won’t be necessary but Dangre refused to agree. She pointed out that a girl was subjected to physical, emotional and mental violence on several occasions by this man and had even approached the police twice earlier. She added that it is not to be taken lightly, as the young girl is now fearing for her life.
Justice Dangre said: “Dowry is considered as a major contributor towards obsessed violence against women in India despite several laws being brought into force. Some of the offences include physical and emotional abuse, domestic violence, etc. The tendency of such type, in harassing the women for jewellery and money needs to be dealt with a stern hand.”
She concluded, “In the circumstance, by reading of the complaint, offence under Section 498A IPC is prima facie made out and the said offence is non-bailable…The custodial interrogation is very much warranted.”