A Delhi court has dismissed a revision petition challenging framing of charges against a man and other members of his family for allegedly harassing a leprosy-afflicted woman for dowry.
Dismissing the petition against the framing of charges by a Metropolitan Magistrate, Additional Sessions Judge Sanjiv Jain said: “From the complaint and material available on record, I am of the view that prima facie a case under Sections 498A read with 34 [common intention] of IPC is made out against all the accused persons. I do not find any illegality or infirmity in the order of the trial court.”
Taunted
The woman has alleged in her complaint that her husband and in-laws started harassing her immediately after marriage. Stating that she suffers from leprosy, the woman added that in-laws and sister-in-law taunted her about her medical condition, and that her husband would abuse and beat her at his sister’s instigation.
She claimed that her husband and in-laws, including the sister-in-law, demanded ₹2 lakh on August 12, 2013. When she refused, they pushed her on the ground, kicked her, and also tried to strangle her using a dupatta.
“In the instant case, there are specific instances and allegations against the husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, sister-in-law and brother-in-law of the complainant who, on one pretext or the other for want of dowry, subjected the complainant to cruelty. They also harassed her for unlawful demand of dowry. When she refused to fulfil their demands, all of them beat and harassed her. They had illegally demanded ₹20,000 for purchase of an air conditioner and ₹2 lakh from the complainant. Her sister-in-law used to instigate her husband. All of them used to taunt her,” the judge said.
“There is nothing to indicate that the impugned order is passed against natural justice and there is no evidence to support the claim of the respondent that the complaint has been filed to seek conviction of the maximum people as stated in the revision petition,” the judge said.
