Akhilesh Kumar Sony v. The State Of Bihar

IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT PATNA

CRIMINAL MISCELLANEOUS No.90055 of 2025 Arising Out of PS. Case No.-360 Year-2024 Thana- COMPLAINT CASE - BIKRAMGANJ District- Rohtas ====================================================== Akhilesh Kumar Sony S/O Shri Shivpujan Seth Residetn of VillageSiyawank, P.S.- Baghaila, District- Rohtas ... ... Petitioner/s

Versus

1.

The State of Bihar Patna 2.

Bindu Devi W/O Akhilesh Kumar Sony R/O Vill. and Post.- Siyawank, P.S.- Baghaila, Dist.- Rohtas. At Present R/O Vill.- Gadura, Post.- Deomarkendey, P.S.- Karakat (Godari), Dist.- Rohtas.

... ... Opposite Party/s ====================================================== Appearance :

For the Petitioner/s :

Mr. Om Prakash Singh, Advocate For the Opposite Party/s :

Mr. Surendra Prasad Singh, APP ====================================================== CORAM: HONOURABLE MR. JUSTICE PURNENDU SINGH ORAL ORDER 15-01-2026 Heard Mr. Om Prakash Singh, learned counsel appearing on behalf of the petitioner and Mr. Surendra Prasad Singh, learned APP appearing on behalf of the State.

2. The petitioner apprehends his arrest in connection with Complaint Case No. 360 of 2024 registered under Sections 323, 498(A), 354/34 of the Indian Penal Code and Section 3/4 of DP Act.

3. As per the allegation made in the FIR, after marriage, the complainant was subjected to physical and mental cruelty by her husband and in-laws due to non-fulfillment of demand of dowry.

4. Learned counsel appearing on behalf of the

2/5 petitioner submitted that petitioner is innocent and has falsely been implicated in the present case. He further submitted that petitioner always tries to lead a peaceful married life with the informant but she never co-operates with him on the instigation of her family members. Learned counsel further submitted that marriage is a sacred ceremony but little matrimonial skirmish suddenly erupts into hatred and the parties ponder to reconcile their dispute outside the court.

5. Learned APP appearing on behalf of the State submitted that a chance be given to the parties for amicable settlement outside the court.

6. The petitioner's counsel on instruction submitted that the petitioner has agreed to appear before the learned District Court at 10:30 A.M. on 12.02.2026.

7. Heard the parties.

8. The matrimonial dispute is not an offense against the society rather a matrimonial dispute is a private conflict between spouses and does not inherently constitute an offence against society. However, a false case can have a disastrous consequence in absence of any criminal content. The personal dispute cannot call for a criminal offence. In such situation, continuation of the proceeding would amount to abuse of

3/5 process of law leading to vexatious proceeding against the petitioner.

9. In this regard, the Apex Court in the case of B.S. Joshi v. State of Haryana, reported in, (2003) 4 SCC 675, in paragraph nos. 12 and 13 has held as under:- "12. The special features in such matrimonial matters are evident. It becomes the duty of the court to encourage genuine settlements of matrimonial disputes.

13. The observations made by this Court, though in a slightly different context, in G.V. Rao v. L.H.V. Prasad [(2000) 3 SCC 693 : 2000 SCC (Cri) 733] are very apt for determining the approach required to be kept in view in a matrimonial dispute by the courts. It was said that there has been an outburst of matrimonial disputes in recent times. Marriage is a sacred ceremony, the main purpose of which is to enable the young couple to settle down in life and live peacefully. But little matrimonial skirmishes suddenly erupt which often assume serious proportions resulting in commission of heinous crimes in which elders of the family are also involved with the result that those who could have counselled and brought about rapprochement are rendered helpless on their being arrayed as accused in the criminal case.

There are many other reasons which need not be mentioned here for not encouraging matrimonial litigation so that the parties may ponder over their defaults and terminate their disputes amicably by mutual agreement instead of fighting it out in a court of law where it takes years and years to conclude and in that process the parties lose their "young" days in chasing their "cases" in different courts."

10. The petitioner has willingly desired to appear before the learned District Court on 12.02.2026, so that the matter can be referred to the District Mediation Centre.

11. Learned District Court is directed to take necessary steps to issue notices to the respective parties and upon their appearance, refer the matter before the learned Mediator of the District Mediation Center by fixing a date for

4/5 appearance of the parties.

12. Learned Mediator of the District Mediation Center concerned upon appearance of the parties on the fixed date shall make his/her best efforts to settle the dispute amicably and thereafter submit his/her report before the concerned learned District Court, well within a period of four months, till then, no coercive action shall be taken against the petitioner in connection with the aforesaid case.

13. In case, the parties resolve their dispute amicably or arrive at a mutual settlement, in light of the law laid down by the Apex Court, the petitioner is required to be released on prearrest bail on such terms and conditions as the learned District Court deems it fit and proper.

14. In case of failure on the part of the petitioner to appear on 12.02.2026 before the learned District Court or any date fixed by the learned Mediator, the interim protection granted to the petitioner shall automatically lose its force.

15. In case, it is deliberate on the part of the opposite party no.2 to reconcile, then in that case, the interim protection granted to the petitioner shall continue and the trial shall proceed in accordance with law.

16. In case, the parties fail to reconcile, then in that

5/5 case, parties may avail appropriate remedy. Then also, petitioner is directed to be released on pre-arrest bail on such terms and conditions as the learned District Court deems it fit and proper.

17. If both the parties arrive at amicable settlement, then they must withdraw the criminal cases, if any, which they have lodged against each other.

18. With aforesaid direction and observation, the present application stands disposed of.

(Purnendu Singh, J) Ashishsingh/- U T