AB 957/2011 BEFORE THE HON’BLE MR. JUSTICE C.R. SARMA Heard Mr. R. Baruah, learned counsel appearing for the petitioner. Also heard Mr. B. B. Gogoi, learned Addl. Public Prosecutor appearing for the State o f Assam. This is an application filed under Section 438 CrPC seeking pre-arrest b ail in favour of the petitioner, namely, Md. Shakeel Ahmed in connection with Di spur PS case No.301 of 2011 under Section 498-A read with Sections 325/447/427/3 34 IPC. The learned counsel appearing for the petitioner has submitted that the victim woman Smt. Sneha alias Sneha Ahmed, who is the wife of the accused-petiti oner, has been living with the latter as husband and wife and the matter has bee n amicably settled between them. The learned counsel has further submitted that refusal to grant the bail, as prayed for, will cause prejudice to the family lif e of the victim woman. The victim woman has filed an affidavit (dated 4-4-11) st ating, therein, that, due to certain misunderstanding with her husband, she had left for her parents’ house but she returned to her husband’s house on 28-3-11 f rom which date, she has been living with the petitioner. It is also stated that there is none, except the petitioner, to look after her and their minor son. Smt. Sneha Barkakati alias Sneha Ahmed aforesaid i.e the victim woman is personally present before this court and, on being asked by this co urt, she has clearly stated that she had sworn the said affidavit and that she has been prese ntly living with the petitioner. In view of the above, considering entire aspect of the matter as well as the family life of the victim woman, I am of the opinion that release of the pe titioner, on pre-arrest bail at this stage, will not cause any prejudice to the investigation and that custodial interrogation is also not necessary. Accordingly, it is directed that in the event of arrest of the petitione r in connection with the above mentioned case, the arresting authority shall rel eased him on bail of Rs.20,000/- (rupees twenty thousand) only with one surety o f the like amount to the satisfaction of the arresting authority. It is provided that the petitioner shall appear before the Investigating officer within seven days from this date for his interrogation and recording st atement, if so required. With the above directions, this A.B. Application is disposed of.