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2006 DIGILAW 2315 (PNJ)

Harmohan Kaur v. State Of Punjab

2006-05-24

H.S.BHALLA

body2006
Judgment H.S.Bhalla, J. 1. Through this petition, the petitioner has prayed for quashing of order dated 10.7.2002, Annexure P-4 passed by Judicial Magistrate I Class, Patiala, vide which she has been summoned under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure on the application moved by the prosecution. 2. The facts required to be noticed for disposal of the petition are that the petitioner is the niece of mother-in-law of respondent No. 2 and is residing at Chandigarh in her own matrimonial home. Marriage between Respondent No. 2 and Ravinder Singh was solemnised on 1.5.2000 at Patiala. Soon after the marriage, some differences cropped up between the husband and the wife on account of which, they started living separately. However, respondent No. 2, while she was, admittedly, staying at her parents house, got the FIR registered against Ravinder Singh, the husband, Smt. Amarjit Kaur, the mother-in-law, Gagandeep Singh, cousin, one Jagdish Singh and the petitioner levelling general allegations of dowry and cruelty against them. A copy of FIR dated 15.8.2000 is annexed with the petition as Annexure P-1. It has been further alleged in the petition that investigation was, thereafter, conducted by the police and challan was presented against the aforementioned persons, but finding no allegation against the petitioner, she was put in column No. 2. The learned trial Magistrate framed charges against the aforementioned persons, a copy of which is annexed with the petition as Annexure P-2. Subsequently, after two years of the registration of the FIR, respondent No. 2 moved an application for summoning the petitioner under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, mentioning therein that her name figured in the FIR and consequently, the learned trial Magistrate, vide order dated 10.7.2002, on the basis of the statement of complainant-respondent No. 2, while appearing as PW-1 before him, wherein she pointed out the name of the petitioner specifically mentioned therein that she gave beating to her by participating in the commission of the crime, ordered to summon the petitioner, a copy of which is annexed with the petition as Annexure P-4. It has been further averred in the petition that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are totally vague and frivolous. Finally, it has prayed that the order dated 10.7.2002, Annexure P-4 passed by the learned trial Magistrate be set aside. 3. It has been further averred in the petition that the allegations levelled against the petitioner are totally vague and frivolous. Finally, it has prayed that the order dated 10.7.2002, Annexure P-4 passed by the learned trial Magistrate be set aside. 3. The respondent-State filed reply, wherein it has been specifically stated that since no cause of action accrues to the petitioner to file the present petition, therefore, the instant petition is not maintainable and deserves to be dismissed on this score only. It has been further submitted that that the petitioner along with Gagandeep, Jagdeep Singh, Ravinder Singh son of Surjit Singh participated in the commission of crime by giving beating to complainant-respondent No. 2, as has been deposed by respondent No. 2, while appearing in the witness box as a witness before the learned trial Magistrate. It has been further submitted that on the basis of the statement given by the complainant, the learned trial Magistrate has rightly summoned the petitioner for committing an offence punishable under Sections 452/498-A/148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code. Finally, it has been prayed that the petition filed by the petitioner be dismissed. 4. I have heard the learned counsel for the parties and have gone through the record of the case. 5. Having heard the learned counsel for the parties and going through the pleadings of the parties, to my mind, the petitioner is in distant relation of mother-in-law of respondent No. 2. She has no role to play in the alleged commission of the crime. There is growing tendency to come out with inflated and exaggerated allegations, roping in each and every relation of the husband. In the case of Kans Ram v. State of Punjab and others, 2000(2) RCR(Criminal) 695 (SC) : AIR 2000 SC 2324, the Honble Apex Court has observed that a tendency has developed for roping in all the relations in dowry articles and if it is not discouraged, it is likely to affect the case of the prosecution even against the real culprits. In the case of Anita and others v. State of Punjab, 2003(4) RCR(Criminal) 313, the First Information Report was lodged by the wife under Sections 498-A and 406 of the Indian Penal Code against the entire members of family of the husband. In the case of Anita and others v. State of Punjab, 2003(4) RCR(Criminal) 313, the First Information Report was lodged by the wife under Sections 498-A and 406 of the Indian Penal Code against the entire members of family of the husband. First Information Report against the four unmarried sisters and brother was quashed, exercising the powers under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure. It was observed that it is not believable that the unmarried sisters or unmarried brother of the husband would be entrusted with any article of dowry separately. There is a tendency to involve all the relatives of the husband when the relations of husband and wife become strained. I find that the only vague allegations have been made against the present petitioner, who is the real niece of mother-in-law of respondent No. 2. In fact, the learned trial Magistrate fell in error, while summoning the petitioner under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure by passing the order dated 10.7.2002. In view of the above discussion, the instant petition is allowed. Order dated 10.7.2002, Annexure P-4, passed by the learned trial Magistrate, vide which the petitioner has been summoned under Section 319 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, is hereby quashed. However, it is made clear that the observations made hereinabove shall be confined only to the case of the present petitioner. It will not affect the case of the other accused in any manner.