Dowry death: HC rejects man's plea for quashing of charge

NEW DELHI: In yet another case of dowry death, the Delhi High Court has rejected the plea of a husband for quashing the charges framed by the trial court saying there was a proximate and live link among the effect of cruelty, dowry demand and the death of his wife.

Justice Ravinder Bhat, however, discharged the parents, brother and paternal uncle of the accused, Ram Dayal Meena, of the dowry harassment charges after he found scanty evidence against them.

"The parents of the deceased spoke with less particulars but nevertheless clearly mentioning the role of husband Ram Dayal Meena as demanding dowry. Therefore, the charges framed against husband under sections 498(A)(cruelty) and 304(B)(dowry death) of IPC are justified," Justice Bhat said in a recent judgment.

"So far as involvement of other relatives including father, mother, uncle and husband's brother are concerned the evidence is vague, sketchy and unspecific. Therefore, they are entitled to be given the benefit of discharge," Justice Bhat added.

According to prosecution, Meena had committed suicide a year after her marriage in May, 2004. Her parents had lodged an FIR accusing him and his relatives for harassing their daughter for dowry.