Indian Penal Code, 1860
Sections 498A, 504 & 109 and Section 3 & 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act—Cruelty and dowry harassment—Petition to quash criminal proceedings dismissed by High Court—Appeal—Appellant was paramour of husband of second respondent—Taking the allegations at their face value in the FIR or even in the entire material placed in the charge-sheet, it will show that there was no averment or material to show that the appellant was in any way concerned with causing harassment to second respondent on account of non-fulfilment of demand of dowry—Continuation of criminal proceedings against appellant would be nothing else but an abuse of process of law—Impugned judgment of High Court is quashed and set aside—Appeal allowed.
[Paras 12 to 14]