The Allahabad High Court has ruled that those living in a live-in relationship like husband and wife can be charged with dowry harassment or dowry murder. Justice Rajbir Singh issued this ruling while rejecting the plea of Adarsh Yadav, who challenged charges filed against him.
Case Filed Over Alleged Dowry Demands
An FIR was lodged against Yadav in Prayagraj’s Kotwali in 2022, accusing him of dowry harassment and dowry murder after the victim allegedly committed suicide over dowry demands. The police filed a charge sheet against him, and the trial court rejected Yadav’s request to dismiss the charges. Yadav argued that, since he was not legally married to the victim, dowry-related laws should not apply.
Court’s Interpretation of Dowry Law
The public prosecutor argued that the couple was married in court, and the victim had been harassed for dowry. The High Court ruled that even if the couple was not legally married, evidence showed they lived as husband and wife. Therefore, the provisions of dowry laws still apply. The court emphasized that relatives of the accused could also be charged in dowry death cases.
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