IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA CR. REV. No.279 of 2007 ASHOK KUMAR JHA & ORS Versus STATE OF BIHAR ----------- 3. 11.08.08. Heard. This revision application has been preferred against the order dated 12.12.2006 passed by the S.D.J.M., Araria in G.R. No. 1429 of 2000 thereby the learned Magistrate has amended and added the charge under Sections ¾ of the Dowry Prohibition Act under Section 216 of Code of Criminal Procedure. Heard learned counsel for the petitioners. No body appeared on behalf of the Opposite Party No. 2 in spite of service of notice. Submission of the learned counsel for the petitioners is that in trial altogether eight witnesses were examined on behalf of prosecution. Thereafter, the case was placed for judgment. At that stage the learned Magistrate has allowed the petition filed by the Opposite Party under Section 216 of Code of Criminal Procedure and added Section ¾ of Dowry Prohibition Act along with Section 498 (A) and 323 Indian Penal Code. It is further submitted that the case has already travelled about eight years. The accused persons-petitioners have already been harassed for eight years.. The amendment would further linger the case It is further submitted that there was no compelling reason to amend the charge as the petitioners are already facing trial under Section 498 A of the I.P.C. which is punishable for three years. - 2 - Considered the above submissions of the learned counsel for the petitioners and perused the impugned order as well as entire file. This case is of the year 2000. All the witnesses have already been examined and the case was fixed for judgment. At this stage amendment of the charge is totally unwarranted. It will further linger the case. The petitioners have already been charged under Section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code which is punishable for three years. Under the facts and circumstances, this revision application is allowed and the impugned order dated 12. 12. 2006 is set aside and the court below is directed to dispose of the case at the earliest. M. Pal. (Ghanshyam Prasad, J.)