STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Additional Sessions Judge Kathua Kamlesh Pandit rejected pre-arrest bail applications of husband of deceased, namely Arjun Dass, his father Chanda Ram, mother Devo Rani, brother Hukam Chand and sister Ranju Devi in a dowry-death case. According to police, on January 15, 2022 information was received by the concerned police station that one Pryanka Devi, wife of Arjun Dass has hanged herself with a ceiling fan in her room. As death was caused in suspicious circumstances therefore inquest proceedings under section 174 CrPC were initiated which culminated into filing of FIR against accused for commission of offence under sections 498-A/306 of IPC. The accused persons are facing serious allegations and from police record there appears prima facie evidence against accused person and accused have not cooperated with the investigation in any manner rather have chosen to remain aloof, the Court observed. Additional Sessions Judge Kathua Kamlesh Pandit, while rejecting the bail applications, observed that accused herein have forced the young woman to commit suicide at the prime of her age after maltreating her over demand of dowry. “Presumption of dowry is apparent against accused persons/applicants herein. The applicants are seeking pre-arrest bail when the allegations are very serious and their innocence is not prima facie culled out. The exceptional jurisdiction of this court for grant of pre-arrest bail is for those persons who have regard for law and not for those who disregard law and take it into their hands like in instant case. More so, the investigation is in progress and the protection of the accused person at this stage would definitely cause dent in the investigation and also there is every apprehension that accused/applicants may use their influence to cause dent in the prosecution evidence. Therefore, as a sequel to all, what has been discussed herein-above, this court is not convinced that the accused persons/applicants herein deserve the exceptional jurisdiction of this court by granting them pre arrest bail as the allegations are very serious,” the Court observed.