Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 30: Additional Sessions Judge Kathua Kamlesh Pandit has rejected the bail application of one Shankuntla Devi, mother-in-law of deceased Anju Devi in dowry death case.
After hearing both the sides, the court observed, “accused is prima facie involved in serious offence of dowry death. In this case death of a young lady has occurred because of suicide as she has fallen prey to the dowry demand of the accused /applicant herein”.
“This court is very much conscious that liberty of an individual is precious and is to be zealously protected by courts. Nonetheless, such protection cannot be absolute in other situations. The valuable right of liberty of an individual and interest of the society in general has to be balanced, more so, liberty of a person accused of an offence would depend upon the exigency of the case”, the Judge said.
“It is true that the provision of anticipatory bail is intended to save innocent persons from humiliation and harassment by preventing their detention in custody. The provision is not made for a person against whom there is accusation of serious nature and there is some material to support such accusation. The powers are to be sparingly used and should be invoked for furtherance of ends of justice and to save innocent persons having been harassed or humiliated”, the court said.
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