Ramchandra Rawani @ Ramchandra Prasad vs State of Jharkhand

Ratnaker Bhengra, J

Heard both the counsels.

The learned counsel for the petitioner has pointed out to the FIR and has submitted that the allegations are made against as many as four persons, including husband of the deceased, father-in-law, who is the current petitioner and the mother-in-law of the deceased. It is alleged that they were making demand of dowry of Rs.40,000/- to Rs. 50,000/- and due to non-fulfillment of the said amount, they had assaulted the deceased. The learned counsel has further submitted that there is no specific allegation against this petitioner of any torture or demand of dowry though there is general and omnibus allegation against all the accused persons. The learned counsel has further submitted that the petitioner is only the father-in-law of the deceased and therefore, there is no reason why he would be involved in harassing the deceased who happens to be the wife of his son. The learned counsel has further submitted that when the police went to the place of residence of in-laws of the deceased, husband of the deceased was not available in the house and in absence of the husband of the deceased, this petitioner, who happens to be the father-in-law of the deceased, has been dragged into this case. Moreover, the petitioner is in custody since 18.07.2023. Therefore, the petitioner may be granted privilege of bail.

Learned counsel for the State has vehemently opposed the bail application of the petitioner and has submitted that there is direct allegation against all the accused persons including this petitioner of having made dowry demands. Moreover, there is also allegation of assault made.

Having gone through the records of the case and arguments in the facts and circumstances, present petitioner, named above, is ordered to be released on bail on executing bail bonds of Rs. 25,000/- (Rupees Twenty Five Thousand only) with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the learned Additional Sessions Judge-IV, Giridih, in connection with Bengabad PS Case No. 159 of 2023, corresponding to GR No. 1554 of 2023 (ST No. 566 of 2023), subject to the conditions that (i) the petitioner will submit self-attested photocopy of his Aadhaar Card and also submit his mobile number before the learned Court below which he will always keep active and will not change it during pendency of this case without prior permission of the Court (ii) the petitioner shall also remain present on each and every date of trial before the learned Court below unless dispensed with by the learned Court below and (iii) the petitioner shall report to the concerned police station on last Saturday of every month between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM in the next twelve month, failing which his bail bonds shall be cancelled. Any exception to such attendance shall be done so after direction from the learned Court below.