New Delhi, March 1, 2025: In a significant judgment, a Delhi court has acquitted a man who was accused of harassing his wife for dowry, which allegedly drove her to commit suicide in May 2023. The acquittal came after critical testimony from the deceased woman's father, who revealed that he was compelled by police officials to sign his earlier statement.
Additional Sessions Judge Ravindra Kumar Pandey, presiding over the case, delivered the acquittal order on February 25. The accused, identified as Kumar, had been charged under multiple serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, including Section 304 B (dowry death), Section 498 A (cruelty towards a married woman), and Section 406 (criminal breach of trust).
According to the prosecution's allegations, Kumar married Preeti in April 2022, shortly after which he allegedly subjected her to cruelty and harassment over dowry demands. The prosecution claimed that Kumar had also seized Preeti's 'Streedhan'—traditional assets such as jewelry, cash, or property that a woman receives upon marriage. The harassment reportedly led to Preeti's suicide by hanging within a year of marriage.
However, the case took a pivotal turn when Preeti's father testified in court. He clarified that his previous statements accusing Kumar of harassment had been recorded under pressure from police officials. Being illiterate and working as a laborer, he explained he had no clear understanding of the statement and simply signed the document on the instructions of officials present at the time.
The court further observed that other key prosecution witnesses, including Preeti's uncle and a neighbor, failed to substantiate any claims of harassment or dowry demands. Judge Pandey, noting the absence of compelling evidence against the accused, concluded, "No incriminating evidence came on record during the examination of the prosecution witnesses. The court is therefore of the considered view that the prosecution's case against the accused is not proved."
Consequently, the court acquitted Kumar of all charges.
The case was initially registered at the Neb Sarai police station in Delhi.
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