Khateja Bibi v. The State Of West Bengal And ANR.

20.01.2025 Ct. No.1

IN THE HIGH COURT AT CALCUTTA

Sl. No.34 Circuit Bench at Jalpaiguri akd [Rejected] C. R. M. (A) 1008 of 2024 In Re: An application for anticipatory bail under Section 482 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 filed on 03.12.2024 in connection with Cooch Behar Sadar Women Police Station Case No.20 of 2024 dated 05.02.2024 under Sections 498A/302/304B/34 of the Indian Penal Code read with Sections 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, Section 6 of the POCSO Act and Sections 10/11 of Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006.

And In Re: Khateja Bibi ... ... Petitioner Mr. Hillol Saha Podder ... ... for the petitioner Mr. Subham Chanda ... ... for the de-facto complainant Mr. Aditi Shankar Chakraborty .. ld. Addl. Public Prosecutor Mr. Aniruddha Biswas ... ... for the State 1.

Heard learned Advocates for the respective parties. 2.

We have considered the materials on record. Statements of witnesses show the husband and in-laws including the petitioner (mother-in-law) demanded dowry. When dowry was not paid, victimhousewife was subjected to torture. As a result, she suffered unnatural death at the matrimonial home. In light of the nature of offence and prima facie involvement of the petitioner therein, we are not inclined to grant anticipatory bail to her.

3.

Accordingly, the prayer for anticipatory bail of the petitioner stands rejected.

(Gaurang Kanth, J.) (Joymalya Bagchi, J.)