No witnesses in dowry death case, says court, acquits husband & father-in-law

Panaji: A North Goa court has released on bail Anil Rathod and Kushelappa Rathod, the husband and father-in-law of a woman who allegedly died by suicide in an alleged dowry case at Arambol in March.The accused, represented by advocate R Dessai, sought bail on the grounds that investigation was complete and a chargesheet was already filed. They told the court through their counsel that they were innocent and that there was no evidence on record to show their involvement in the alleged suicide.“...the stand taken by the prosecution is that the victim was subjected to cruelty and harassment for dowry immediately before her death, which drove her to die by suicide.

It is not the case of the prosecution that the victim was murdered. The investigating officer has also not specified the steps taken as regards the allegation of murder made by the complainant,” stated additional sessions judge 2, Mapusa, Apurva R Nagvenkar.The court further observed that there were no witnesses to the offence and that the evidence was circumstantial in nature. It also observed that the couple’s minor child requires care and attention for her healthy growth and development.

Mandrem police had registered a case of dowry death after the Pernem deputy collector directed that an FIR be registered within 24 hours based on the complaint of the family.The family had refused to accept the woman’s body for last rites. They said they suspected foul play and demanded the registration of an FIR. When police did not register an FIR, the family approached the deputy collector seeking directions to Mandrem police to do so.