The Delhi High Court has refused to grant bail to a man accused of abetting the suicide of his 18-year-old wife, who was three months pregnant at the time of her death.
The woman died less than nine months into her marriage, with her parents alleging sustained dowry harassment by her husband and in-laws.
Hearing the case under Sections 304B and 498A of the Indian Penal Code, the Court observed, “The voice of the deceased, now silenced forever, can only be heard through the evidence brought forth by her parents.”
The prosecution contended that persistent demands for dowry drove the young woman to take her own life. Her medical examination revealed multiple injuries, and the post-mortem confirmed her pregnancy. Her parents alleged that she faced continued emotional and mental abuse, which ultimately led to her suicide.
The accused, who has been in custody since February 2024, sought bail on the grounds that the trial was still ongoing, specific dowry demands weren’t dated, and that the deceased had a history of emotional distress. He also claimed she was in a relationship with her cousin.
However, the Court rejected these claims, stating that vague allegations about the deceased’s character were both unsubstantiated and inappropriate, particularly when she could no longer respond to them. It also noted that no previous suicide attempts had ever been reported.
Crucially, the Court dismissed the argument that the woman’s parents had no knowledge of her suffering because she lived away from them. “In India, the love and affection of parents for their daughters does not cease once she is married,” the Court said, adding that emotional bonds persist deeply, regardless of geography.
Highlighting the short span of the marriage and the tragic circumstances of the woman’s death, the Court said the material on record prima facie indicated the offences alleged and emphasized the importance of recognizing the victim’s rights. It underlined that posthumous attacks on the character of a deceased woman do little to aid justice and instead only deepen the trauma of those left behind.
Dismissing the bail plea, the Court clarified that its findings were limited to the adjudication of the bail application and would not impact the outcome of the ongoing trial.
Case Title: Ajay Kumar vs. State of NCT of Delhi