PANAJI
The Sessions Judge in North Goa has acquitted IRB constable Maheshrao Ananthu and his family in a dowry harassment case citing that the prosecution failed to prove any dowry demands.
Anusha Anathu, Maheshrao’s wife died by suicide around 18 months after their wedding on January 9, 2019.
An FIR under sections 304B (dowry death), 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives of the husband), and 306 (abetment of suicide) of the Indian Penal Code was registered against Maheshrao, his parents and brother following an inquiry by former SDM Shashank Tripathi (IAS). While his father passed away during the trial, his brother was discharged of the offense with the trial ordered against the husband and his mother.
As per the chargesheet, the family of the victim alleged that the victim was harassed by her in-laws even though the family during the hearing claimed there was no demand for dowry from any of the accused.
The court, in its order, observed that there is not a single allegation made against the accused in the depositions of the victim’s family that the accused either demanded dowry from the victim or her family or that she was harassed by any of the accused. On the contrary, two prime witnesses categorically stated that the deceased never made any complaints against the accused. As such, the court found no evidence of dowry demands from the accused.
“In the light of these facts, the prosecution has failed to prove that there was any demand by the accused from the victim and her family. Consequently, it cannot be said that the victim committed suicide because of such demands and harassment The accused are acquitted for the offenses,” reads the order by Sherin Paul, Sessions Judge, Panaji.
