The Supreme Court has overturned the bail granted to a couple accused in the alleged dowry-related death of their daughter-in-law, emphasizing that courts must exercise extreme caution in such cases to maintain public confidence in the justice system.
In a scathing rebuke of the High Court’s decision, the bench highlighted the alarming circumstances surrounding the death of Shahida Bano, who was found hanging in her matrimonial home just two years after marriage. A post-mortem examination indicated she had been strangled before her death, leading to charges under sections related to dowry harassment and cruelty.
The High Court had previously granted bail to her father-in-law, mother-in-law, and two sisters-in-law, citing their lack of criminal history. However, her father challenged the ruling, prompting the Supreme Court to intervene.
The bench underscored the need for stricter judicial scrutiny in cases where women die under suspicious circumstances following persistent harassment over dowry demands. The Court warned that granting bail in such instances without deeper examination could erode public faith in the judiciary and weaken the fight against dowry-related violence.
“In cases where the evidence indicates a pattern of physical and mental torment linked to dowry demands, courts must not allow the accused to remain at large. Such decisions risk sending the wrong message to society,” the ruling stated.
The Supreme Court reiterated that judicial decisions in such cases carry significant social implications, stressing that a casual approach to granting bail could undermine the fairness of trials. While the parents-in-law were ordered back into custody, the relief granted to the sisters-in-law was left untouched.
