‘Dowry deaths remain a grave concern’: SC cancels bail to two
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New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Monday expressed deep concern over the persistence of dowry deaths, emphasizing that courts must rigorously scrutinize bail decisions in such cases. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta stated that dowry deaths strike at the core of social justice and equality, necessitating a heightened judicial approach.
“It is unfortunate that in today’s society, dowry deaths remain a grave social concern, and in our opinion, the courts are duty-bound to undertake deeper scrutiny of the circumstances under which bail is granted in these cases,” the bench observed.
The court canceled the bail granted by the Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court to the parents-in-law of a woman who was found dead in her matrimonial home in January 2024, less than two years after marriage. The FIR alleged she was subjected to continuous harassment and cruelty by her in-laws over dowry demands.
The bench stressed that stricter judicial scrutiny is essential in cases where a young bride dies under suspicious circumstances in her matrimonial home, especially when records indicate persistent harassment.
“Allowing alleged prime perpetrators of such heinous acts to remain on bail, where the evidence indicates they actively inflicted physical, as well as mental, torment, could undermine not only the fairness of the trial but also public confidence in the criminal justice system,” the bench stated.
Highlighting the severity of dowry-related crimes, the court underscored the importance of Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (dowry death), which sets a stringent legal standard due to the grave nature of the offence and its broader societal impact. It noted that judicial decisions in such cases send a crucial social message and should reflect heightened vigilance.
“When a young bride dies under suspicious circumstances within barely two years of marriage, the judiciary must exhibit seriousness and heightened vigilance. A superficial application of bail parameters not only undermines the gravity of the offence but also risks weakening public trust in the judiciary’s commitment to eradicating the menace of dowry deaths,” the bench asserted.
The court also raised concerns over the “seemingly mechanical approach” adopted by the high court in granting bail to the accused, warning that a lack of judicial diligence could normalize such crimes.
“It is this very perception of justice, both within and outside the courtroom, that courts must safeguard, lest we risk normalizing a crime that continues to claim numerous innocent lives,” the bench added.
However, while canceling the bail of the parents-in-law, the court upheld the bail granted to the woman’s sisters-in-law, considering the nature of their roles in the case. It also directed the parents-in-law to surrender before the trial court or the concerned authority.
With PTI inputs