New Delhi: A Delhi court has denied bail
to a man arrested for allegedly driving his wife to commit suicide by harassing her for dowry, observing that marriage is a "second birth" for a woman and it is her husband`s "pious
duty" to treat her well in the matrimonial house.
"Marriage is a second birth for a female in the
context of Indian society," Additional Sessions Judge Sanjeev
Aggarwal said.
"It is the pious duty of the husband to treat his wife
well in her matrimonial house, as she comes to reside after
marriage in a totally new environment, after leaving her
parents` house and their love and affection," he said, turning
down the plea of Ramesh, who had sought bail on grounds of
parity as other accused in the case had been granted relief.
Ramesh had married Priyanka in April 2007, but soon
after she began complaining about harassment by her in-laws.
Her father alleged that she was often beaten up by her
in-laws for not bringing enough dowry. On November 6, 2009,
she had informed her parents that she had an argument with her
in-laws and was again harassed and beaten up by them.
Later on the same day, she consumed poison and died
at a hospital here.
A case was registered against her husband and his relatives at Alipur police station.
"Without commenting upon the nature of the prosecution
evidence, led so far, I do not deem it expedient to grant
bail to accused Ramesh Kumar (husband). Consequently, bail
application of Ramesh stands dismissed," the judge said.
Ramesh argued before the court that his mother had
already secured bail from the Delhi High Court while his
father, sister, brother and brother-in-law, who were
co-accused in the case, were also granted anticipatory bail by
trial court.
He said that he was in jail since November 7, 2009 and
sought bail on grounds of parity.
The prosecution, however, opposed his bail plea saying
that Ramesh`s case stands on a footing different from those of
other co-accused as he was the victim`s husband and was living
with her in same house whereas all the other co-accused
persons were residing separately.
The court rejected the submission by Ramesh`s counsel
and said, "The case of husband is on different footing or can
be said to be on special footing, in view of his relationship
with the deceased (wife), as he owes an explanation, as to how
and under what circumstances, woman expired soon after her
marriage."
Jain noted that there were allegations of cruelty
and harassment in relation to dowry demand just before the
death of Priyanka.
PTI
