1 Reserved on : 20.02.2025 Pronounced on : 07.03.2025 IN THE HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD BENCH DATED THIS THE 07TH DAY OF MARCH, 2025 BEFORE THE HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE M. NAGAPRASANNA CRIMINAL PETITION No.103553 OF 2023 BETWEEN: 1 . SRI H.SANNA DEVANNA S/O HULGAPPA AGED ABOUT 58 YEARS OCC: GOVT. EMPLOYEE 2 . SMT. SHIVAGANGAMMA W/O SANNA DEVANNA AGED ABOUT 52 YEARS OCC: HOUSEHOLD R/O VALMIKI, ANANT SHYANAGUDI PANDURANG COLONY, HOSAPETE DIST: VIJAYANAGAR – 583 201. ... PETITIONERS (BY SRI B.C.JNANAYYA SWAMI, ADVOCATE) AND: 1 . THE STATE OF KARNATAKA REPRESENTED BY ITS STATE PUBLIC PROSECUTOR HIGH COURT OF KARNATAKA DHARWAD (THROUGH KUDLIGI PS). R 2 2 . SMT. PADMAPRIYA @ RASHMIKA W/O SAGAR H., AGED ABOUT 26 YEARS OCC: HOUSEHOLD R/O VALMIKI, ANANT SHYANAGUDI PANDURANG COLONY, HOSAPETE DIST: VIJAYANAGAR – 583 201. ... RESPONDENTS (BY SRI SHARAD V.MAGADUM, AGA FOR R1; SRI L.T.MANTAGANI, ADVOCATE FOR R2) THIS CRIMINAL PETITION IS FILED UNDER SECTION 482 OF CR.P.C., PRAYING TO QUASH THE ENTIRE PROCEEDINGS IN C.C.NO 387/2023 PENDING ON THE FILE OF SR. CIVIL JUDGE AND JMFC COURT KUDLIGI, BALLARI ARISING OUT OF CRIME NO. 16/2023 FOR THE OFFENCE U/SEC. 504, 506, 498A, 323, 324 R/W 34 OF IPC REGISTERED BY KUDLIGI (PS). THIS CRIMINAL PETITION HAVING BEEN HEARD AND RESERVED FOR ORDERS ON 20.02.2025, COMING ON FOR PRONOUNCEMENT THIS DAY, THE COURT MADE THE FOLLOWING:- CORAM: THE HON'BLE MR JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA CAV ORDER Petitioners/accused No.2 and 3 are before this Court calling in question proceedings in C.C.No.387 of 2023 pending before the Senior Civil Judge and JMFC, Kudligi, arising out of crime in Crime No.16 of 2023. 3 2. Heard Sri B.C. Jnanayyaswami, learned counsel appearing for the petitioners, Sri Sharad V.Magadum, learned Additional Government Advocate appearing for respondent No.1 and Sri L.T.Mantagani, learned counsel appearing for respondent No.2. 3. Facts, in brief, germane are as follows:- These very petitioners were before this Court in Crl.P.No.101763/2023 seeking quashment of registration of crime in Crime No.16 of 2023 registered for offences punishable under Sections 323, 324, 498A, 504 and 506 r/w 34 of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. This Court noticing the fact that the matter was at the stage of crime had dismissed the petition on 10.08.2023, by the following order: “2. The second respondent is the complainant. The petitioners are accused Nos.2 & 3 / mother-in-law & father- in-law of the complainant. The complainant is the wife of the accused No.1, who is not before the Court. They two got married on 02.07.2021 and also have a child from the wedlock. It transpires that the relationship between the husband and wife turned sour and on account of the torture meted out by the accuse Nos.1, 2 & 3, the complainant registered a crime on 23.01.2023. The complaint becomes a crime in Crime No.16/2023 for the offenses punishable under Sections 323, 324, 498-A, 504, 506 read with Section 34 of IPC. Registration of the crime is what drives the petitioners to this Court in the subject petition. 4 3. Learned counsel appearing for the petitioners would contend that there is no material against the petitioners. It is only an omnibus and vague allegation that form against the petitioners. It is the submission that all the allegations are against the accused No.1 / husband and therefore, further proceedings should not be permitted to be continued against these petitioners. 4. On the other hand, learned HCGP would submit that the allegations are indeed found and the crime is registered on 23.01.2023 and is being investigated into. Learned HCGP would submit that the Court should not entertain the petition at this juncture. 5. I have given my anxious consideration to the arguments advanced by the respective counsel and also have perused the material on record. 6. The issue now lies in a narrow compass as the crime is registered only on 23.01.2023 and what is required to be noticed is the complaint, whether it does make out ingredients of the offences alleged or not. The summary of the complaint as found in Column 10 of the FIR reads as follows: “10. ¥ÀæxÀªÀÄ ªÀvÀðªÀiÁ£À ªÀgÀ¢AiÀÄ «ªÀgÀUÀ¼ÀÄ ¢£ÁAPÀ: 02.07.2021 gÀAzÀĦüAiÀiÁð¢zÁgÀjUÀÆ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ DgÉÆæ-01 gÀ«UÀÆ PÀÄ® ¥ÀzÀÝw ¥ÀæPÁgÀ ªÀÄgÀ§ UÁæªÀÄzÀ ²æÃ. «ÃgÀ¨sÀzÉæñÀégÀzÉêÀ¸ÁÜ£ÀzÀ°è ªÀÄzÀĪÉAiÀiÁVzÀÄÝ, PÉ®ªÀÅ wAUÀ¼ÀÄUÀ¼À DgÉÆæ-01 jAzÀ 03 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁ¢zÁgÀjUÉZÉ£ÁßV £ÉÆÃrPÉÆArzÀÄÝ, £ÀAvÀgÀzÀ ¢£ÀUÀ¼À°è DgÉÆæ-01 gÀªÀgÀÄ ªÀÄzÀÄªÉ ªÀiÁvÀÄPÀvÉAiÀÄ ¥ÀæPÁgÀ 04 vÉÆ¯É §AUÁgÀvÉUÉzÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ §gÀĪÀAvÉ ªÀÄvÀÄÛJ£ÀÆß 20 vÉÆ¯É §AUÁgÀ ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 50 ®PÀë gÀÆ.UÀ¼À£ÀÄß ªÀgÀzÀQëuÉAiÀiÁVvÀgÀĪÀAvÉ ¦Ãr¸ÀÄwÛzÀÄÝ, CµÀÆÖAzÀÄ ºÀt ªÀÄvÀÄÛ §AUÁgÀªÀ£ÀÄßvÀgÀ¯ÁUÀĪÀÅ¢®èªÉAzÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢AiÀÄÄ ºÉýzÀÝPÉÌ DgÉÆæ-01 gÀªÀgÀÄCªÁZÀåªÁV ¨ÉÊzÀÄ, PÉÊUÀ½AzÀ ºÉÆqÉ¢zÀÄÝ, ªÀÄvÀÄÛDgÉÆæ 02 ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 03 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¸ÀºÁ QgÀÄPÀļÀ ¤ÃrzÀÄÝ, F «µÀAiÀĪÀ£ÀÄßvÀ£ÀßvÀªÀgÀÄ ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀĪÀjUÉ w½¹zÁUÀ DgÉÆævÀjUÉ §Ä¢ÝªÁzÀ ºÉý ZÉ£ÁßV £ÉÆÃrPÉƼÀî®Ä w½¹zÀÄÝ, ¢£ÁAPÀ : 01-04-2022 gÀAzÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢zÁgÀjUÉMAzÀÄUÀAqÀÄ ªÀÄUÀÄ d¤¹zÀÄÝ, DgÉÆævÀgÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢zÁgÀgÀ£ÀÄß ªÀÄvÀÄÛ ªÀÄUÀĪÀ£ÀÄß £ÉÆÃqÀ®Ä §gÁzÉÃEzÀÄ £ÀªÀÄä ªÀÄUÀĪÀ®èCAvÁC£ÀĪÀiÁ£À ªÀåPÀÛ¥Àr¹zÀÄÝ, ¢£ÁAPÀ : 16-01-2023 gÀAzÀÄ ¨É½UÉÎ : 7.00 UÀAmÉ ¸ÀĪÀiÁjUÉ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢AiÀÄÄ ºÀħâ½îAiÀÄ ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀÄ°èzÁÝUÀDgÉÆæ-01 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢AiÉÆA¢UÉ dUÀ¼À vÉUÉzÀÄ ªÀgÀzÀQëuÉ ºÀt ªÀÄvÀÄÛ 5 §AUÁgÀvÀA¢®èªÉAzÀÄCªÁZÀåªÁV ¨ÉÊzÀÄ, ªÀÄ£ÉAiÀÄ°èzÀÝvÀUÀÄÎAqÀÄvÉUÉzÀÄPÉÆAqÀÄ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢AiÀÄvɯÉUÉ, §®, ¨sÀÄdPÉÌ, ºÉÆmÉÖUÉ ºÉÆqÉzÀÄ UÁAiÀÄ¥Àr¹zÀÄÝ, vÀ¦à¹PÉƼÀî®Ä ¥ÀæAiÀÄwß¹zÀ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢UÉ DgÉÆæ-3 gÀªÀgÀÄPÀÆzÀ®Ä »rzÀÄ EªÀ¼À£ÀÄß ©qÀ¨ÉÃqÀ ¸Á¬Ä¹©qÀÄ JAzÀÄ ªÀÄvÀÄÛDgÉÆæ- 02 gÀªÀgÀÄ ¸ÀºÁ EªÀ½UÉ ºÉÆqÉzÀÄ ¸Á¬Ä¹ ©qÀÄ ¤£ÀUÉ E£ÀÆßAzÀÄ ªÀÄzÀÄªÉ ªÀiÁqÀÄvÉÛêÉCAvÁDgÉÆæ-01 gÀªÀjUÉ ºÉýzÀÄÝ, DgÉÆævÀgÀÄ ªÀiÁ£À¹PÀ ªÀÄvÀÄÛzÉÊ»PÀ QgÀÄPÀļÀ ¤ÃrzÀÝjAzÀ ¦üAiÀiÁð¢zÁgÀgÀÄvÀ£ÀßvÀªÀgÀÆjUÉ §AzÀÄ ¢£ÁAPÀ : 22-01-2023gÀAzÀÄ PÀÆrèV ¸ÀPÁðjD¸ÀàvÉæAiÀÄ°èaPÀvÉì ¥ÀqÉzÀÄ, vÀ£ÀßvÀAzÉvÁ¬ÄUÀ¼ÉÆA¢UÉ ZÀað¹ F ¢£À vÀqÀªÁVoÁuÉUÉ §AzÀÄDgÉÆægÀvÀ «gÀÄzÀÝ ¤ÃrzÀzÀÆj£À ¸ÁgÁA±ÀzÀ ªÉÄÃgÉUÉ ¥ÀæPÀgÀt zÁR°¹zÉ.” 7. The allegation in the complaint no doubt, is for demand of dowry, but the acts of all the accused are clearly narrated, with pointed reference to certain instances of unbearable torture. In the teeth of the aforesaid facts which becomes a crime in Crime No.16/2023, further investigation cannot be stalled on the plea that the petitioners are the mother-in-law and fatherin-law and they are dragged into the web of crime, without rhyme or reason. Both the rhyme and reason are present in the case at hand against the petitioners. The petition thus, lacking in merit stands dismissed.” The relationship between the parties and the allegations were captured by this Court in the aforesaid order while dismissing the petition. The allegation in the complaint, as observed hereinabove, was no doubt demand of dowry. The police after investigation have now filed a charge sheet. The filing of the charge sheet has driven the petitioners back to this Court in the subject petition. The offences that were alleged at the time of registration of crime are all maintained even while filing the charge sheet. 6 4. The learned counsel for the petitioners would vehemently contend that all IPC offences are retained while filing the charge sheet but the offences punishable under Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act have been dropped. It is his submission that when there is no demand of dowry, Section 498A of the IPC cannot be alleged against the petitioners, in particular. He would submit that all the allegations are against the husband. The mother-in-law and father-in-law do not stay with the couple but they are unnecessarily dragged into the web of crime. 5. Per contra, the learned counsel appearing for the 2nd respondent/complainant would vehemently refute the submissions contending that allegations are against all the three. The complainant has been tortured by the accused and, therefore, it is a matter of trial for them to come out clean. He would submit that merely because the offences under the Dowry Prohibition Act have been dropped, it does not mean that the present offences as afore- quoted are not met. He would seek dismissal of the petition. 6. The learned Additional Government Advocate representing the State would also toe the lines of the learned counsel appearing 7 for the 2nd respondent by taking this Court through the charge sheet so filed. He would also seek dismissal of the petition. 7. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record. 8. The afore-narrated facts are not in dispute. The earlier proceedings has captured the gist of the crime. After dismissal of the petition, comes the charge sheet. The summary of the charge sheet as obtaining under Column 17 is as follows:- “17. PÉù£À ¸ÀAQë¥ÀÛ ¸ÁgÁA±À PÀ®A: 504, 498(J), 323, 324, 506 gÉ/« 34 L.¦.¹ CrAiÀÄ°è. 7. I have given my anxious consideration to the submissions made by the respective learned counsel and have perused the material on record. 8. The afore-narrated facts are not in dispute. The earlier proceedings has captured the gist of the crime. After dismissal of the petition, comes the charge sheet. The summary of the charge sheet as obtaining under Column 17 is as follows:- “17. PÉù£À ¸ÀAQë¥ÀÛ ¸ÁgÁA±À PÀ®A: 504, 498(J), 323, 324, 506 gÉ/« 34 L.¦.¹ CrAiÀÄ°è. 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8ಂಗಳ; 8ಂಗಳ; 8ಂಗಳ; ಗHೕ[]^ಾ2ದು6 ಗHೕ[]^ಾ2ದು6 ಗHೕ[]^ಾ2ದು6 ಗHೕ[]^ಾ2ದು6 ಒಂದು ಒಂದು ಒಂದು ಒಂದು ಾರದ ಾರದ ಾರದ ಾರದ ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -2 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 3 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ರವೊಂ&ೆ ರವೊಂ&ೆ ರವೊಂ&ೆ ರವೊಂ&ೆ ಾಸ)+ಾ6ಗ ಾಸ)+ಾ6ಗ ಾಸ)+ಾ6ಗ ಾಸ)+ಾ6ಗ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -2 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 3 ಇವರ ಇವರ ಇವರ ಇವರ ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು ೇJ ೇJ ೇJ ೇJ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಾನ4ಕಾ2 ಾನ4ಕಾ2 ಾನ4ಕಾ2 ಾನ4ಕಾ2 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು +ೈGಕಾ2 +ೈGಕಾ2 +ೈGಕಾ2 +ೈGಕಾ2 Gಂೆ Gಂೆ Gಂೆ Gಂೆ Mೕಡಲು Mೕಡಲು Mೕಡಲು Mೕಡಲು ?ಾ(ರಂH4ದರೂ ?ಾ(ರಂH4ದರೂ ?ಾ(ರಂH4ದರೂ ?ಾ(ರಂH4ದರೂ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ಸು_ಾ 4ೊಂ ಸು_ಾ 4ೊಂ ಸು_ಾ 4ೊಂ ಸು_ಾ 4ೊಂಡು ಡು ಡು ಡು >ೋ2ದು6 >ೋ2ದು6 >ೋ2ದು6 >ೋ2ದು6, 2021 ನೆಂಬS ನೆಂಬS ನೆಂಬS ನೆಂಬS 8ಂಗಳ/0 8ಂಗಳ/0 8ಂಗಳ/0 8ಂಗಳ/0 ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ 3 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು >ೊಸ?ೇ@ೆೆ >ೊಸ?ೇ@ೆೆ >ೊಸ?ೇ@ೆೆ >ೊಸ?ೇ@ೆೆ ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ 4ೕಾಂತ 4ೕಾಂತ 4ೕಾಂತ 4ೕಾಂತ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-4 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 5 ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಕಳ;G4ದು6 ಕಳ;G4ದು6 ಕಳ;G4ದು6 ಕಳ;G4ದು6, ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ 01-04-2022 ರಂದು ರಂದು ರಂದು ರಂದು ಗಂಡು ಗಂಡು ಗಂಡು ಗಂಡು ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ >ೆ ೆ^ಾ2ದು6 >ೆ ೆ^ಾ2ದು6 >ೆ ೆ^ಾ2ದು6 >ೆ ೆ^ಾ2ದು6 ಈ ಈ ಈ ಈ )ಷಯವನು )ಷಯವನು )ಷಯವನು )ಷಯವನು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಇವರು ಇವರು ಇವರು ಇವರು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ 3 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ 8J4ದರು 8J4ದರು 8J4ದರು 8J4ದರು ಅವರು ಅವರು ಅವರು ಅವರು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರ%ಾಗ/ ರವರ%ಾಗ/ ರವರ%ಾಗ/ ರವರ%ಾಗ/, ಮಗುವ%ಾಗ/ ಮಗುವ%ಾಗ/ ಮಗುವ%ಾಗ/ ಮಗುವ%ಾಗ/ ನ%ಾಗ/ ನ%ಾಗ/ ನ%ಾಗ/ ನ%ಾಗ/ %ೋಡ/ೆW %ೋಡ/ೆW %ೋಡ/ೆW %ೋಡ/ೆW ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ ಮಗು)ೆ 9 8ಂಗಳ; 8ಂಗಳ; 8ಂಗಳ; 8ಂಗಳ; ಆದರೂ ಆದರೂ ಆದರೂ ಆದರೂ ಆೋ ತರು ಆೋ ತರು ಆೋ ತರು ಆೋ ತರು ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಬರ+ೇ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಇದು6ದ ಂದ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-4 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 5 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಈತನ ಈತನ ಈತನ ಈತನ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ Nಟು Nಟು Nಟು Nಟು ಬರುವಂೆ ಬರುವಂೆ ಬರುವಂೆ ಬರುವಂೆ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-9 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ 8J4ದು6 8J4ದು6 8J4ದು6 8J4ದು6 ಅದರಂೆ ಅದರಂೆ ಅದರಂೆ ಅದರಂೆ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-9 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ 22-12-2022 ರಂದು ರಂದು ರಂದು ರಂದು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಹುಬUJೆ ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು Aೆ%ಾ2 Aೆ%ಾ2 Aೆ%ಾ2 Aೆ%ಾ2 %ೋೊಳ;Qವಂೆ %ೋೊಳ;Qವಂೆ %ೋೊಳ;Qವಂೆ %ೋೊಳ;Qವಂೆ ಬು&6 ಬು&6 ಬು&6 ಬು&6 ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು >ೇJ >ೇJ >ೇJ >ೇJ Nಟು Nಟು Nಟು Nಟು ಬಂ&ರುವ1+ಾ2 ಬಂ&ರುವ1+ಾ2 ಬಂ&ರುವ1+ಾ2 ಬಂ&ರುವ1+ಾ2 ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ನಂತರ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ ರವ ೆ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -2 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 3 ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು ಾತು ೇJ ೇJ ೇJ ೇJ &%ಾಲು &%ಾಲು &%ಾಲು &%ಾಲು Kೇ Kೇ Kೇ Kೇ ತುಡು2 ತುಡು2 ತುಡು2 ತುಡು2 `ಂಡ( `ಂಡ( `ಂಡ( `ಂಡ(ಾJ ಾJ ಾJ ಾJ ಈ ಈ ಈ ಈ ಮಗು ಮಗು ಮಗು ಮಗು ನನದಲ0 ನನದಲ0 ನನದಲ0 ನನದಲ0 ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ ೈಗJಂದ ೈಗJಂದ ೈಗJಂದ ೈಗJಂದ >ೊ\ೆ >ೊ\ೆ >ೊ\ೆ >ೊ\ೆ ಬ\ೆ ಬ\ೆ ಬ\ೆ ಬ\ೆ ಾರುವ1+ಾ2 ಾರುವ1+ಾ2 ಾರುವ1+ಾ2 ಾರುವ1+ಾ2, &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ &%ಾಂಕ 16/01/2023 EೆJೆR EೆJೆR EೆJೆR EೆJೆR ಸುಾರು ಸುಾರು ಸುಾರು ಸುಾರು 7-00 ಗಂ@ೆೆ ಗಂ@ೆೆ ಗಂ@ೆೆ ಗಂ@ೆೆ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಇವೊಂ&ೆ ಇವೊಂ&ೆ ಇವೊಂ&ೆ ಇವೊಂ&ೆ ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ ತೆದು ತೆದು ತೆದು ತೆದು Mೕನು Mೕನು Mೕನು Mೕನು ಇದ6ೆ ಇದ6ೆ ಇದ6ೆ ಇದ6ೆ ನನೆ ನನೆ ನನೆ ನನೆ %ೆಮa& %ೆಮa& %ೆಮa& %ೆಮa& ಇಲ0 ಇಲ0 ಇಲ0 ಇಲ0, ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ನನೆ ನನೆ ನನೆ ನನೆ ಮ%ೆಯ/0 ಮ%ೆಯ/0 ಮ%ೆಯ/0 ಮ%ೆಯ/0 ¨ÉÃPೆ PೆPೆ Pೆ 8ಕುWವ 8ಕುWವ 8ಕುWವ 8ಕುWವ ತಗುRಂಡು ತಗುRಂಡು ತಗುRಂಡು ತಗುRಂಡು ತೆದುೊಂಡು ತೆದುೊಂಡು ತೆದುೊಂಡು ತೆದುೊಂಡು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರರರರವರ ವರ ವರ ವರ bಳಾಲು bಳಾಲು bಳಾಲು bಳಾಲು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು +ೇಹದ +ೇಹದ +ೇಹದ +ೇಹದ cೕKೆ cೕKೆ cೕKೆ cೕKೆ ಇತೆ ಇತೆ ಇತೆ ಇತೆ ಕ\ೆ ಕ\ೆ ಕ\ೆ ಕ\ೆ >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು ಾದ ಾದ ಾದ ಾದ ಸ-ರೂಪದ ಸ-ರೂಪದ ಸ-ರೂಪದ ಸ-ರೂಪದ ಾಯ ಾಯ ಾಯ ಾಯ ¥Àr¹zÀÄÝ, 9 DUÀ ¸ÁQë-1 gÀªÀgÀÄ vÀ¦à¹PÉƼÀî®Ä ºÉÆÃzÁUÀ DgÉÆæ-3 EªÀgÀÄ ¸ÁQë-1 EªÀgÀ PÀÆzÀ®Ä »rzÀÄ EªÀ¼À£ÀÄß ©qÀ¨ÉÃqÀ ¸ÁA¬Ä¹©qÀÄ ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ - 2 ಇವರು ಇವರು ಇವರು ಇವರು ಸಹ ಸಹ ಸಹ ಸಹ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ ಇವ ೆ >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು >ೊ\ೆದು ಾdಸು ಾdಸು ಾdಸು ಾdಸು Mನೆ Mನೆ Mನೆ Mನೆ ಇ%ೊಂದು ಇ%ೊಂದು ಇ%ೊಂದು ಇ%ೊಂದು ಮದುೆ ಮದುೆ ಮದುೆ ಮದುೆ ಾಡುೇ%ೆ ಾಡುೇ%ೆ ಾಡುೇ%ೆ ಾಡುೇ%ೆ ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು ಎಂದು >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 >ೇJರುವ1+ಾ2 ಆಗ ಆಗ ಆಗ ಆಗ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು eರುfೊಂ\ಾಗ eರುfೊಂ\ಾಗ eರುfೊಂ\ಾಗ eರುfೊಂ\ಾಗ ಪಕWದ ಪಕWದ ಪಕWದ ಪಕWದ ಮ%ೆ ಮ%ೆ ಮ%ೆ ಮ%ೆ ಾ4ಗPಾದ ಾ4ಗPಾದ ಾ4ಗPಾದ ಾ4ಗPಾದ ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-12, 13 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಬಂದು ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ ಜಗಳ Eೆ44 Eೆ44 Eೆ44 Eೆ44PÉÆArgÀÄvÁÛgÉAzÀÄ «µÀAiÀÄ 8Jದು 8Jದು 8Jದು 8Jದು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-8 ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು ಮತು 9 ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ರವರು ಹುಬUJQೆ ಹುಬUJQೆ ಹುಬUJQೆ ಹುಬUJQೆ >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 >ೋ2 ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ರವರನು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಕೆದುೊಂಡು ಬರುಾಗ ಬರುಾಗ ಬರುಾಗ ಬರುಾಗ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಇವನು ಾ ಾ ಾ ಾ-1 ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ೊರಳ/ದ6 ೊರಳ/ದ6 ೊರಳ/ದ6 ೊರಳ/ದ6 ಾJ ಾJ ಾJ ಾJ eತುೊಂಡು eತುೊಂಡು eತುೊಂಡು eತುೊಂಡು ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 ಅಾಚDಾ2 Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ Eೈ+ಾ ಇ%ೊca ಇ%ೊca ಇ%ೊca ಇ%ೊca ನಮa ನಮa ನಮa ನಮa ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಮ%ೆೆ ಬಂದೆ ಬಂದೆ ಬಂದೆ ಬಂದೆ Mನನು Mನನು Mನನು Mನನು gೕವ gೕವ gೕವ gೕವ ಸGತ ಸGತ ಸGತ ಸGತ ಉJಸುವ1&ಲ0ೆಂದು ಉJಸುವ1&ಲ0ೆಂದು ಉJಸುವ1&ಲ0ೆಂದು ಉJಸುವ1&ಲ0ೆಂದು Eೆದ ೆ Eೆದ ೆ Eೆದ ೆ Eೆದ ೆ >ಾeರುಾ%ೆಂದು >ಾeರುಾ%ೆಂದು >ಾeರುಾ%ೆಂದು >ಾeರುಾ%ೆಂದು ತMiೆdಂದ ತMiೆdಂದ ತMiೆdಂದ ತMiೆdಂದ ದೃಢಪ5ದ6 ಂದ ದೃಢಪ5ದ6 ಂದ ದೃಢಪ5ದ6 ಂದ ದೃಢಪ5ದ6 ಂದ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ ಆೋ -1 ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ ಂದ 3 ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ ರವರ )ರುದT )ರುದT )ರುದT )ರುದT ಕಲಂ ಕಲಂ ಕಲಂ ಕಲಂ: 504, 498[ಎಎಎಎ] 323, 324, 506 ೆೆೆೆ/)))) 34 ಐಐಐಐ. .4444 ಅ ಅ ಅ ಅಯ/0 ಯ/0 ಯ/0 ಯ/0 ಾನD ಾನD ಾನD ಾನD %ಾD^ಾಲಯೆW %ಾD^ಾಲಯೆW %ಾD^ಾಲಯೆW %ಾD^ಾಲಯೆW ಈ ಈ ಈ ಈ +ೋ +ೋ +ೋ +ೋ.ಪತ(ವನು ಪತ(ವನು ಪತ(ವನು ಪತ(ವನು Mೇ&4ೊಂ+ೆ Mೇ&4ೊಂ+ೆ Mೇ&4ೊಂ+ೆ Mೇ&4ೊಂ+ೆ.” (Emphasis added) The offences that are dropped are under the Dowry Prohibition Act against the petitioners/accused Nos.2 and 3. But, there are pointed instances of torture meted out against the complainant. She has been assaulted by pulling her hair by both accused Nos.2 and 3, the petitioners herein. There are eye witnesses to the incident. The charge sheet depicts the screaming of daughter-in-law, heard by a neighbor, who had come to her rescue. This being the observation in the summary of the charge sheet, merely because the offences under the Dowry Prohibition Act is dropped, it would not mean that mother-in-law and father-in-law, who have tortured the daughter-in-law, could walk away scot-free. 10 Here it is apt to quote the judgment of the Apex Court in ALURI VENKATA RAMANA v. ALURI THIRUPATHI RAO1, wherein it is held as follows: “…. …. …. 7. Firstly, the provision under Section 498-A IPC must be examined. The said provision reads as under: "498A. Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty.- Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.- For the purposes of this section, "cruelty" means- (a) any willful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or (b) harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand." 8. Section 498A of the IPC was introduced in the year 1983 with the primary objective of protecting married women from cruelty at the hands of their husbands or their in- laws. The section provides a broad and inclusive definition of "cruelty," encompassing both physical and mental harm to the woman's body or health. In addition, it covers acts of harassment designed to coerce the woman or her family into fulfilling unlawful demands for property or valuable security, including demands related 1 SLP (Crl.) No.9243 of 2024 decided on 12.12.2024 11 to dowry. Notably, the provision also recognizes acts that create circumstances leading a woman to the point of suicide as a form of cruelty. 9. The definition of "harassment" under the Explanation to Section 498A is specifically outlined in clause (b), independent to the "wilful conduct" described in clause (a), thus necessitating a separate reading of the two. It is significant to note that the inclusion of the word "or" at the end of clause (a) clearly indicates that "cruelty" for the purposes of Section 498A can either involve wilful conduct that causes mental or physical harm or harassment related to unlawful demands, such as dowry. Moreover, these forms of cruelty can co-exist, but the absence of a dowry-related demand does not preclude the application of the section in cases where there is mental or physical harassment unrelated to dowry. In interpreting the provision, it is crucial to consider the broader objective behind its introduction-to safeguard women from all forms of cruelty, regardless of whether the nature of the harm inflicted includes a specific demand for dowry or not. 10. The statement of objects and reasons for the introduction of this provision in the Indian Penal Code by The Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983 (Act No.45 of 1983) reads as under - "The increasing number of Dowry Deaths is a matter of serious concern. The extent of the evil has been commented upon by the Joint Committee of the Houses to examine the working of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Cases of cruelty by the husband and the relatives of the husband which culminate in suicide by, or murder of, the hapless woman concerned, constitute only a small fraction of the cases involving such cruelty. It is therefore proposed to amend the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act suitably to deal effectively not only with cases of Dowry Death but also cases of cruelty to married woman by their in laws." 11. It is relevant to note the last line which explains that the aim for the introduction of Section 498A in the IPC is not only to curb cruelty relating to dowry 12 demand but also cases of cruelty to married woman by their in laws. A reasonable interpretation of this would be that cruelty within this section goes beyond the definition of cruelty relating just to dowry demand. 12. In the judgment of U.Suvetha v. State this Court outlined the necessary ingredients required to establish an offence under Section 498A of the IPC, as follows: "7. Ingredients of Section 498-A of the Penal Code are: (a)The woman must be married; (b) She must be subjected to cruelty or harassment; and (c) Such cruelty or harassment must have been shown either by husband of the woman or by the relative of her husband." 13. From the above ingredients reiterated by this Court, it is clear that an unlawful demand for dowry is not a pre-requisite element to constitute "cruelty" under Section 498A IPC. It suffices that the conduct falls within either of the two broad categories outlined in clauses (a) or (b) of the provision, namely, wilful conduct likely to cause grave injury or mental harm (clause a), or harassment intended to coerce the woman or her family to meet any unlawful demand (clause b). Therefore, either form of cruelty, independent of a dowry, is sufficient to attract the provisions of Section 498A IPC and make the offence punishable under the law. 14. Further, in the judgment of Arvind Singh v. State of Bihar, this Court observed that – "25. word 'cruelty' in common English acceptation denotes a state of conduct which is painful and distressing to another. The legislative intent in Section 498-A is clear enough to indicate that in the event of there being a state of conduct by the husband to the wife or by any relative of the husband which can be 13 attributed to be painful or distressing, the same would be within the meaning of the section". 15. The impugned judgment of the High Court carefully examined several legal precedents pertaining to the two distinct limbs of Section 498A IPC. The High Court correctly observed that the decisions cited by the counsel for the accused did not establish that the wilful conduct referred to in clause (a) of Section 498A would only be considered as cruelty if it is coupled with a dowry demand or any unlawful demand for property or valuable security, as specified in clause (b). The High Court rightly rejected this contention. However, following this observation, the High Court also noted that the Appellant did not specifically allege a demand for property or valuable security, and further concluded that the allegation of the accused physically assaulting the Appellant did not amount to "wilful conduct" as envisaged under clause (a) of Section 498A IPC. The judgment of the High Court primarily focused on the issue of whether a dowry demand is a necessary element for the applicability of Section 498A IPC. The conclusion it arrived at was that the two clauses of the provision must be read disjunctively, thereby confirming that the absence of a dowry demand does not preclude the application of the section. Despite this, the High Court went on to quash the criminal proceedings against the accused under Section 498A IPC. Notably, the High Court failed to provide adequate reasoning as to why the allegations made by the Appellant- specifically, that she had been physically beaten- did not amount to "cruelty" under Section 498A IPC. The High Court's decision to quash the proceedings appears to have been primarily influenced by the lack of a dowry-related demand in the case, without addressing the broader implications of the allegations of physical abuse, which can fall within the scope of "cruelty" as contemplated by the provision.” (Emphasis supplied) 14 The Apex Court observes that demand of dowry need not be an allegation for an offence under Section 498A of the IPC, if cruelty is prima facie met. The summary of the charge sheet, as quoted hereinabove, discloses cruelty in the case at hand by both the petitioners – mother-in-law and father-in-law is clearly met. 9. There are scores and scores of cases where offence under Section 498A of the IPC is misused. Merely because there is misuse of the said provision, that does not mean in cases where there is real torture can be brushed aside. The case at hand is one such illustration. 10. Therefore, finding no merit in the petition, the petition deserves to be dismissed. It is accordingly, dismissed. SD/- ____________________ JUSTICE M.NAGAPRASANNA nvj CT:SS