Meraj Vs State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko. — Dowry and Cruelty | Allahabad HC (2025)

Meraj Vs State of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko. — Dowry and Cruelty | Allahabad HC (2025)

What the court decided

AI extract

Outcome

Applicant Meraj to be released on bail in FIR No. 110 of 2023 on furnishing a personal bond with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the court concerned, subject to the three conditions set out in the order.

Issue for consideration

Whether the applicant Meraj, accused under Sections 302, 34, 498A IPC in FIR No. 110 of 2023 (P.S. Inhauna, District Amethi), is entitled to be enlarged on bail.

Court's answer

The applicant was held entitled to be enlarged on bail having regard to the slow pace of trial (only four witnesses examined so far), the absence of any likelihood of the trial being concluded in the near future, and the fact that the applicant has four children to look after.

Ratio / Principle

The bail application was allowed and the applicant Meraj was directed to be released on bail in the aforesaid FIR on furnishing a personal bond with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of the court concerned, subject to the conditions imposed (attendance at hearings; commission of no similar offence; no inducement, threat or promise to dissuade any person or tamper with evidence).

Detailed headnote1 paragraphs

Bail — grant of. Applicant sought bail in FIR No. 110 of 2023 under Sections 302, 34, 498A IPC, P.S. Inhauna, District Amethi, concerning the killing of his wife, whose postmortem reportedly disclosed 17 antemortem injuries. The court noted that the applicant was in custody since 18.09.2023, that only four witnesses had been examined so far with no likelihood of the trial being concluded in the near future, and that the applicant had four children to look after; counsel also pointed out that the co-accused mother-in-law, against whom similar allegations were levelled, had already been enlarged on bail (order dated 04.09.2022, as printed). Holding the applicant entitled to bail, the court allowed the application and directed release on furnishing a personal bond with two sureties of the like amount each, subject to conditions requiring attendance at hearings, abstention from similar offences, and abstention from inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts or tampering with evidence. (Pankaj Bhatia, J.; November 13, 2025.)

HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT ALLAHABAD LUCKNOW

CRIMINAL MISC. BAIL APPLICATION No. - 393 of 2025

Meraj

.....Applicant(s)

Versus

State Of U.P. Thru. Prin. Secy. Home Lko.

.....Opposite Party(s) Counsel for Applicant(s) : Dilip Kumar Pandey, Ashwini Kumar Gupta, Sheo Prakash Singh Counsel for Opposite Party(s) : G.A.

Court No. - 12

HON'BLE PANKAJ BHATIA, J.

1. Heard learned counsel for the applicant, learned AGA and perused the record.

2. The applicant seeks enlargement on bail in FIR No.110 of 2023, under Section 302, 34, 498A IPC, P.S. Inhauna, District Amethi.

3. In terms of the FIR it was alleged that daughter of the informant was married to the applicant and subsequently, she was being harassed by the matrimonial family, however, information was received on 16.09.2023 that she was killed. Cause of death, as per the postmortem report, is 17 antemortem injuries.

4. Learned counsel for the applicant argues that co-accused who is mother-in-law against whom similar allegations were levelled has been enlarged on bail vide order dated 04.09.2022. It is further argued that the applicant has four children who are less than 13 years of age. The applicant has no criminal antecedents and is in custody since 18.09.2023.

5. Learned AGA has opposed the bail application.

6. Considering the submissions made at the Bar and the fact that the applicant is in custody since 18.09.2023, only four witnesses have been examined so far and there is no likelihood of the trial being concluded in the near future coupled with the fact that the applicant has four children to look

BAIL No. 393 of 2025

2

after, the applicant is entitled to be enlarged on bail. In view thereof, the application is allowed .

7. Let the applicant Meraj be released on bail in aforesaid FIR number on his furnishing a personal bond with two sureties of the like amount each to the satisfaction of court concerned with the following conditions:

(a) The applicant shall execute a bond to undertake to attend the hearings;

(b) The applicant shall not commit any offence similar to the offence of which he is accused or suspected of the commission; and

(c) The applicant shall not directly or indirectly make any inducement, threat or promise to any person acquainted with the facts of the case so as to dissuade him from disclosing such facts to the Court or to any police officer or tamper with the evidence.

(Pankaj Bhatia,J.)

November 13, 2025

nishant

Digitally signed by :- NISHANT MOHAN High Court of Judicature at Allahabad, Lucknow Bench