2013 (1) TMI 932 - SC - Indian Laws

Dowry Death - Inquest Report under Crpc - Dealth of wife within 1 year of marriage - Father of deceased made a complaint to the Police Control Room alleging that he suspected that his daughter had been poisoned. This suspicion was based on the fact that the body had turned blue. On the aforesaid complaint the Sub-Divisional Magistrate Delhi in exercise of powers vested in him under Section 176 of the Crpc initiated inquest proceedings. On the basis of Medical reports the reason for death was observerd that death is consequent to cardiac decompensation due to enlarged atrial septal defect pulmonary hypertension. No definite opinion can be given about falciparm Malaria histopathological assessment and also gave negative tests for common poisons. HELD THAT - The criminal proceedings against the appellants-accused Rajiv are hereby set aside.The order of the High Court is accordingly also set aside. the facts of the case which needed to be kept in mind that the respondent-complainant had continued to represent before the SDM Delhi that he would produce the mother of the deceased who knew the facts best of all. Despite that the mother of the deceased did not appear in the inquest proceedings to record her statement even though a number of opportunities were afforded to the respondent-complainant to produce her. The permissible inference is that he was himself not privy to the facts. The fact that the mother of the deceased had not appeared to record a statement against the appellants-accused has to have some reason/justification. The instant appeal accordingly succeeds

Summary

Issues Involved:
1. Allegation of unnatural death by poisoning.
2. Inquest and post-mortem findings.
3. Allegations of dowry harassment and demand.
4. Legal proceedings and judicial findings at various stages.
5. The role of High Court under Section 482 of Cr.P.C.

Detailed Analysis:

1. Allegation of Unnatural Death by Poisoning:
The complaint by Madan Lal Kapoor alleged that his daughter, Dr. Monica Thapar, had been poisoned to death by her in-laws due to dowry demands. This suspicion was based on the observation that her body had turned blue.

2. Inquest and Post-Mortem Findings:
The SDM, Delhi initiated inquest proceedings under Section 176 of the Cr.P.C. A Medical Board conducted a post-mortem and concluded that Dr. Monica Thapar died of cardiac decompensation due to an enlarged atrial septal defect and pulmonary hypertension. The Central Forensic Science Laboratory's report confirmed that the samples from her body tested negative for common poisons.

3. Allegations of Dowry Harassment and Demand:
Madan Lal Kapoor alleged that Dr. Monica Thapar was harassed for dowry, including demands for a Maruti car. However, the SDM's inquest report found no evidence to support these allegations, noting that the families had a cordial relationship, as evidenced by letters and telephone records.

4. Legal Proceedings and Judicial Findings at Various Stages:
- Metropolitan Magistrate's Summoning Order (24.08.1995): Based on preliminary evidence, the Magistrate summoned the accused under Sections 304B, 498A, 406, and 120B IPC.
- Additional Sessions Judge's Discharge Order (07.08.1999): The Judge discharged the accused, concluding that no prima facie case was made out for the charges. The decision was based on the post-mortem report, forensic findings, and inquest report.
- High Court's Reversal (08.05.2008): The High Court set aside the discharge order, stating that the Additional Sessions Judge had erroneously relied on overruled judgments and did not consider the material on record appropriately.

5. The Role of High Court Under Section 482 of Cr.P.C.:
The Supreme Court emphasized that the High Court, in exercising its inherent powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C., must ensure that the material relied upon by the accused is of sterling and impeccable quality, sufficient to rule out the assertions in the charges. The Court delineated steps for determining the veracity of a prayer for quashing:
- The material must be sound, reasonable, and indubitable.
- It must rule out the factual assertions in the complaint.
- It should not be refuted by the prosecution/complainant.
- Continuing the trial would result in an abuse of process and would not serve the ends of justice.

Conclusion:
The Supreme Court found that the material presented by the accused, including the post-mortem report, forensic findings, inquest report, and evidence of cordial family relations, was sufficient to quash the criminal proceedings. The Court concluded that the High Court should have exercised its inherent powers under Section 482 of the Cr.P.C. to prevent abuse of the judicial process and secure the ends of justice. The appeal was allowed, and the criminal proceedings against the accused were set aside.