Rajrani Kushwaha v. State of U.P

Court No. - 68 Case :- CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 49082 of 2023 Applicant :- Rajrani Kushwaha Opposite Party :- State of U.P. Counsel for Applicant :- Sanjay Kumar Mishra Counsel for Opposite Party :- G.A. Hon'ble Dr. Gautam Chowdhary,J.

¶1Supplementary affidavit filed today by the learned counsel for the applicant is taken on record.

¶2Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned A.G.A for the State and perused the record.

¶3Learned counsel for the applicant submits that applicant is the mother-in-law of the deceased, she is innocent and has been falsely implicated in the present case. Learned counsel further submits that though in the F.I.R. as well as in her statement recorded under Section 161 Cr.P.C. the complainant who is sister-in-law (Bhabhi) of the deceased has made allegation against the husband of the deceased and his entire family members including the applicant for demand of additional dowry in the form of one motorcycle and one lakh rupees and on account of non fulfillment thereof causing cruelty and harassment to her and ultimately killing her and thereafter cremating her, but during trial the complainant in her statement recorded before the trial court as P.W.1, which statement has been filed as Annexure-S.A.1 to the supplementary affidavit filed today, has stated that her sister-in-law never made any complaint regarding demand of dowry and mental agony meted to her by her in-laws, the deceased was living separately with her husband and she died due to some ailments in natural circumstance and there is no role of her in-laws in murder of her sister-in-law, thus, learned counsel for the applicant submits that since complainant has not supported the prosecution case before the trial court, therefore, there is bleak chance that prosecution may prove its case beyond reasonable doubt and the applicant may be convicted. Several other submissions in order to demonstrate the falsity of the allegations made against the applicant have also been placed before the Court. The circumstances which, according to the counsel, led to the false implication of the accused have also been mentioned. It has also been assured on behalf of the applicant that she is ready to cooperate with the process of law and shall faithfully make herself available before the court whenever required and is also ready to accept all the conditions which the Court may deem fit to impose upon her. He next submits that applicant is languishing in jail since 09.09.2023, having no criminal history.

¶4Per contra, learned A.G.A. has opposed the prayer for bail of the applicant by contending that the innocence of the applicant cannot be adjudged at pre trial stage, therefore, he does not deserve any indulgence, but he has not disputed that complainant in his statement recorded before the trial court has not supported the prosecution case.

¶5After perusing the record in the light of the submissions made at the bar and after taking an overall view of all the facts and circumstances of this case, the nature of evidence and also the absence of any convincing material to indicate the possibility of tampering with the evidence, without expressing any opinion on merits of the case, this Court is of the view, that the applicant may be enlarged on bail.

¶6Let applicant-Rajrani Kushwaha, involved in Case Crime No. 113 of 2023, under Sections 498-A, 304-B, 201 I.P.C. and Section 3/4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, Police Station Chaura Khas, District Kushinagar, be enlarged on bail on furnishing a personal bond and two heavy local sureties each of the like amount to the satisfaction of the court concerned subject to the following conditions:-

(i) The applicant will not tamper with prosecution evidence and will not harm or harass the victim/complainant in any manner whatsoever.

(ii) The applicant will abide the orders of court, will attend the court on every date and will not delay the disposal of trial in any manner whatsoever.

(iii) The applicant shall file an undertaking to the effect that she shall not seek any adjournment on the date fixed for evidence when the witnesses are present in court. In case of default of this condition, it shall be open for the trial court to treat it as abuse of liberty of bail and pass orders in accordance with law.

(iv) The applicant will not misuse the liberty of bail in any manner whatsoever. In case, the applicant misuses the liberty of bail during trial and in order to secure her presence proclamation under section 82 Cr.P.C., may be issued and if applicant fails to appear before the court on the date fixed in such proclamation, then, the trial court shall initiate proceedings against her, in accordance with law, under section 174-A I.P.C.

(v) The applicant shall remain present, in person, before the trial court on dates fixed for (1) opening of the case, (2) framing of charge and (3) recording of statement under Section 313 Cr.P.C. If in the opinion of the trial court absence of the applicant is deliberate or without sufficient cause, then it shall be open for the trial court to treat such default as abuse of liberty of bail and proceed against her in accordance with law and the trial court may proceed against her under Section 229-A IPC.

¶7The identity, status and residential proof of sureties will be verified by court concerned and in case of breach of any of the conditions mentioned above, court concerned will be at liberty to cancel the bail in accordance with law.

¶8The bail application is allowed. Order Date :- 4.12.2023 Mustaqeem. High Court of Judicature at Allahabad