Supreme Court Overturns ₹9 Lakh Bail Condition for Husband in Cruelty Case
The Supreme Court recently set aside a Jharkhand High Court order that required a husband to pay ₹9 lakh as interim compensation to his estranged wife as a condition for anticipatory bail. The husband, Rohit Jaiswal, was accused of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The Supreme Court’s decision came while hearing appeals filed by Jaiswal against the April order of the Jharkhand High Court. The High Court had granted him anticipatory bail but had also directed him to deposit ₹9 lakh as ad-interim victim compensation.
A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and SVN Bhatti ruled that the High Court was not justified in imposing such a condition. “We are of the opinion that the High Court was not justified in imposing the condition that the appellant – Rohit Jaiswal should deposit ₹9,00,000 as ad interim victim compensation. The said condition is hereby deleted,” the bench stated in its order on September 27.
The Supreme Court noted that Jaiswal had agreed to increase the monthly maintenance payable to his wife from ₹4,000 to ₹10,000 per month following a suggestion from the Court. “The maintenance amount is being enhanced to ₹10,000 per month based on the appellant’s statement. Rohit Jaiswal will continue to make payments accordingly. In case of default, the respondent (wife) can seek execution before the trial court,” the Court directed.
The Supreme Court also clarified that the trial or appellate court may modify, enhance, or reduce the maintenance amount fixed on the appellant’s statement.
Case Title: Rohit Jaiswal vs State of Jharkhand and Anr
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