CRM-M-51362-2024 -1- 235 IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH CRM-M-51362-2024 Date of Decision:- 18.07.2025 Bimal Parsad ...Petitioner Vs. State of Punjab ...Respondent CORAM:-HON'BLE MRS. JUSTICE AMARJOT BHATTI Present:- Mr. Preetinder Singh Ahluwalia, Advocate for the petitioner. Ms. Amrit Kaur Mahir, AAG, Punjab. Mr. R.P. Sharma, Advocate for the complainant. **** AMARJOT BHATTI, J.(Oral) 1. Petitioner – Bimal Parsad has filed petition under Section 483 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 for grant of regular bail in FIR No. 47 dated 04.04.2023 (Annexure P/1) under Section 304-B of IPC registered at Police Station Civil Lines, District Patiala. 2. Facts of the case are, Ram Parshad complainant filed written complaint against Shankar Sharma – husband and other members of in- laws family, alleging that marriage of his daughter Anita was solemnized with Shankar Sharma on 30.04.2021, according to Hindu Rites. Anita, victim was mother of five months old girl child. Shankar Sharma was doing private work in PWD Department in Mini Secretariat. His daughter called him on phone and told him to take her alongwith him as she was LALIT SHARMA 2025.07.18 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-51362-2024 -2- facing lots of harassment and they would kill her. His son Govinda on 23.11.2022 brought her back alongwith the child. She was again sent back on 08.03.2023. His daughter disclosed about the maltreatment given to her for not bringing dowry by Geeta Devi – mother-in-law, Bimal Parsad – father-in-law and Shankar Sharma – husband. During this period, her sister-in-law Sunita also visited from Delhi and she also taunted her a lot. His daughter often used to call him and told about the harassment caused by her in-laws family. On 31.03.2023, she again informed about the conduct of her in-laws and on this he alongwith his son Govinda went to matrimonial home to meet the victim. The in-laws family refused to send her to parental home. They told them that she will be brought by Shankar Sharma to their house in 2-3 days. On 03.04.2023, at about 05:38 pm, Bimal Parsad – father-in-law called on phone calling them immediately as his daughter Anita had hanged herself. He alongwith family members reached there. Body of his daughter was lying in the house and many people had gathered there. There were marks on her neck. She was taken to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala, but she was declared dead. With these allegations, present FIR has been registered. 3. Learned counsel representing petitioner argued this bail petition on the ground that allegations against petitioner are general in nature. Statement of complainant has been recorded as PW-1 (Annexure P-9) who has supported his version. Petitioner is behind the bars for the last more than two years. Trial in this case may take long time. Wife of petitioner Geeta Devi was granted interim bail in CRM-M-37644-2023, vide order dated 09.01.2024 (Annexure P-6), as she was to look after small child of victim. Sunita Subedi was also granted interim bail in CRM-M-16367-2024 LALIT SHARMA 2025.07.18 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-51362-2024 -3- vide order dated 04.04.2024 (Annexure P-7). Concession of bail has never been mis-used. Petitioner will abide by terms of bail order. Therefore, his regular bail petition may be allowed. 4. Bail petition is opposed by learned counsel representing State assisted by learned counsel for complainant. It is pointed out that victim was ill-treated in matrimonial home on account of their demand of dowry. She returned to her parental house several times and was again sent back in matrimonial home. There was no change in behaviour of her husband and other members of in-laws family, as a result, victim died unnatural death on 03.04.2023. Victim expired leaving behind a girl child of few months. Occurrence took place within two years of marriage. Considering the gravity of offence, petitioner is not entitled to be released on bail. 5. I have considered the arguments and have gone through the record carefully. It is matter of record that two of co-accused Geeta Devi – mother-in-law and Sunita – sister-in-law of deceased victim have been granted interim bail by this Court. Mother-in-law Geeta Devi was granted bail as she was to look after the minor daughter of the victim. Present petitioner is father-in-law who is behind the bars for the last more than two years. As per status report, challan was presented on 28.06.2023 and charges were framed on 01.09.2023. Statement of complainant Ram Parshad as PW-1 (Annexure P-9) has been recorded on 07.05.2025. Petitioner is already behind the bars for last more than two years. Trial is at initial stage and conclusion of trial may take long time. Evidence on record will be appreciated by trial Court at appropriate stage. Therefore, without going into the merits of case, regular bail petition filed by petitioner – Bimal Parsad is allowed. He is ordered to be released on bail LALIT SHARMA 2025.07.18 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document CRM-M-51362-2024 -4- on furnishing bail bonds and surety bonds to the satisfaction of trial Court/Duty Judge concerned. 6. Pending miscellaneous application(s), if any, stand disposed of accordingly as well. 18.07.2025 (AMARJOT BHATTI) lalit JUDGE Whether speaking/reasoned: Yes/No Whether reportable: Yes/No LALIT SHARMA 2025.07.18 17:37 I attest to the accuracy and integrity of this document