Court rejects bail of husband, father-in-law in dowry death case

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 22: Principal Sessions Judge Jammu, Jang Bhadur Singh Jamwal has rejected the bail application of Ramesh Chander of Jeevan Nagar and his son Deepak Choudhary, who were involved in dowry death case.
According to the police case, father of deceased Renu Bala lodged a written report with the police stating therein that he had solemnized the marriage of his daughter with Deepak Choudhary on November 4, 2011 and during the solemnization of marriage, necessary domestic items were given as dowry.
Though the conduct of in-laws remained cordial for sometimes yet later in-laws of Renu Bala started demanding more dowry like vehicle, scooter and cash and subsequently started torturing her. On June 15, 2012, father of Renu Bala received a message from GMC Jammu that his daughter was brought dead. The complainant along with other relatives reached GMC but they were not allowed to see the dead body, which was later brought to the home of in-laws.
Later, Renu Bala’s in-laws performed her last rites without adhering to social rituals. On the basis of this report, the police registered a case.
After hearing Advocate Vishal Mahajan for the petitioners whereas Public Prosecutor Shabir Choudhary for the State, Principal Sessions Judge observed, “the dowry system is so deeply rooted in Indian culture that sometimes one feels that there’s going to be no way out – at least not for another century. ‘Bride-burning’, a term which is very common now- a-days is used to describe the increasing number of young Indian housewives found murdered each year, has become common place in young marriages. Hardly a day passes when one does not read of dowry deaths in the national daily newspapers”.
“Brides bringing less than expected dowry are ill treated by their in-laws and other relatives. Many of them cannot bear it any more and commit suicide. Those, who do not have enough courage to do so, are burnt alive by their husbands and the in-laws. In spite of modernization and the increasing role of women in all walks of life, the practice of the dowry in India is becoming widespread, and the value of dowry is increasing”, he said, adding “if a bride’s family fails to pay the amount of dowry demanded by the prospective groom’s family, the bride will be cruelly treated by the in-laws, and in many cases will be burnt to death. Every married woman needs to be given due respect and treated with care. The fact that a woman is not a toy to be played with, to be thrown away at one’s whims and fancies and treated as inferior to any other. It inherently asks for husbands to treat their wives well and not misbehave or demand unjustly which in a way sends forth a message that a woman is a commodity for sale”.
With these observations, Court rejected bail application of Ramesh Chander and his son Deepak Choudhary.