IN THE HIGH COURT OF PUNJAB AND HARYANA AT CHANDIGARH Crl. Misc. No. M-6909 of 2009 Date of decision: March 10, 2009 Sharda ….. Petitioner Versus State of Haryana ….. Respondent Present: Mr. R.S. Malhotra, Advocate for the petitioner. **** S.S. SARON, J. Heard counsel for the petitioner. The petitioner seeks regular bail in a case registered against her for the offences under Sections 304-B/34 IPC. The FIR in the case has been registered on the statement of Ram Avtar – father of the deceased Maya Devi. The marriage of Maya Devi (deceased) was solemnized with Vishnu who is the son of the petitioner Sharda. It has been alleged in the FIR that the petitioner and Vishnu had been demanding Rs.1 lac in cash and Hero Honda motorcycle. Besides, the petitioner and her son Vishnu used to beat Maya Devi daily for the said demand. The petitioner and her son were made to understand, but they did not agree. On 26.4.2008, the complainant was informed that Maya Devi was seriously ill. When the complainant reached the house of his daughter (Maya Devi), he found her hanging with her ‘chunni’ on the tie rod of the room. Due to demand of Rs.1 lac and motorcycle, Maya Devi had died. Learned counsel for the petitioner has submitted that the petitioner is an old lady and there are only allegation of demand of dowry in the FIR. Besides, the petitioner is in custody since 26.7.2008. After giving my thoughtful consideration to the matter, it may be noticed that the marriage between Vishnu and Maya Devi (deceased) was solemnized on Crl. Misc. No. M-6909 of 2009 [2] 15.4.2007 and Maya Devi died on 26.4.2008 i.e. after a year of her marriage. There are substantial allegations of demand of Rs.1 lac in cash, besides a motorcycle. The complainant could not satisfy the demand of the petitioner which led to the death of Maya Devi. In the circumstances, no ground for bail to the petitioner is made out at this stage. Accordingly, the Crl. Misc. petition is dismissed. It is, however, made clear that nothing stated herein shall be taken as an expression of opinion on the merits of the case and it is only for the purpose of disposing of the application of bail. The learned trial Court shall consider the facts and circumstances of the case on the basis of evidence and material independently as adduced before it. (S.S. SARON) JUDGE March 10, 2009 amit