Delhi High Court: Crying Alone Does Not Prove Dowry Harassment, Husband Discharged in Dowry Death Case
The Delhi High Court has upheld the discharge of a husband and his family in a dowry death and cruelty case, ruling that simply seeing the deceased crying cannot be treated as evidence of dowry harassment.
Justice Neena Bansal Krishna observed that the statements of the deceased woman’s brother and sister did not provide any proof that she was harassed by her in-laws for dowry. The Court therefore rejected the plea filed by the woman’s father, who had challenged the discharge order.
The father alleged that after marriage, his daughter was repeatedly humiliated and tortured for not bringing sufficient dowry. He also claimed that her in-laws demanded a gold bracelet, bike, and other items, and when these demands were not fulfilled, she was mentally harassed, leading to her death.
However, the post-mortem report revealed that the woman had died due to pneumonia. The trial court had already taken this into account while discharging the accused, and the High Court upheld this finding.
The Court clarified that to apply Section 498A IPC (cruelty), the death must be connected to acts of cruelty. Since the woman’s death was due to natural reasons, the clause did not apply.
The Court further noted that the father had not provided specific dates, evidence, or details of giving money. Being an auto driver with financial constraints, his claims were found vague and unsupported. Hence, the court concluded that no prima facie case of dowry harassment or cruelty was made out.
Be a part our social media community:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianMan.in?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/indianman.in?igsh=MWZ2N3N0ZmpwM3l3cw==
