Criminal Procedure Code, 1973
Section 438—Anticipatory bail—Sexual exploitation of wife—FIR registered under Section 498A/406/506/34 of IPC—Severity of the exploitation is compounded by the additional factors of physical and emotional violence inflicted upon the victim by her husband and his family—Use of force, coercion, and intimidation to extract compliance from the victim underscores the systemic nature of the abuse and the lengths to which perpetrators will go to maintain their power and control—Such accused persons should be dealt with a stern hand—Accused is seeking anticipatory bail whereas his custodial interrogation may be required for the purpose of recovering any inappropriate photographs, conversations, audios or videos as alleged by the victim wife—No ground found to grant anticipatory bail to the applicant/accused—Application dismissed.
[Paras 7 to 18]