2008 JTR(SC) 150
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2008(1) Supreme 473
SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
Dr. Arijit Pasayat & P. Sathasivam, JJ.
Ran Singh and Anr. — Petitioners
versus
State of Haryana and Anr. — Respondents
Appeal (crl.) 222 of 2008
Decided on : 30-01-2008
Important Point
1.Reasons introduce clarity in an order.
2.There are three occasions related to dowry. One is before marriage, second is at time of marriage and third “at any time” after marriage. The third occasion may appear to be unending period. But the crucial words are “in connection with the marriage of said parties”. Other payments which are customary payments e.g. given at time of birth of a child or other ceremonies as are prevalent in different societies are not covered by expression “dowry”.
Act
Referred
:CRIMINAL PROCEDURE CODE : S.401
DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT : S.2
INDIAN PENAL CODE : S.148, S.498(a), S.506, S.406, S.149, S.323
(A) The appeal pertains to the interpretation and application of provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, were invoked in a complaint alleging dowry-related harassment, criminal breach of trust, hurt, and criminal intimidation. Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, defines dowry as property or valuable security given in connection with the marriage, excluding customary presents not tied as consideration for the marriage. The proceedings involved a revision petition under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, questioning the discharge of certain accused persons by the lower courts. The appellate court emphasized that interference with factual findings requires clear reasoning, especially where an earlier order correctly identifies relevant parties and dismisses others. The absence of stated reasons for setting aside the trial courts order was treated as a critical procedural flaw.
(B) Key legal principles include that dowry demands must be linked to marriage and distinguished from customary gifts; appellate courts must provide reasoned orders when interfering with factual findings; and the accused cannot be implicated merely by association without evidence of direct involvement or demands for dowry.
Facts of the case:
A complaint was filed alleging offences under Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code by Kurra Ram against Jaswant, his wife Saroj, and other relatives including Ran Singh, Raj Bala, Jai Singh, and Suman. The complaint centered on harassment for dowry after Sarojs marriage to Jaswant. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate proceeded against the accused, but subsequent revision petitions led to a finding that only Jaswant had sufficient evidence against him. The Additional Sessions Judge discharged Jai Singh and Suman, noting they were merely residing in the house and not interfering in matrimonial issues. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the revision, observed that elders could misappropriate dowry, and set aside the earlier order without providing reasons.
Findings of Court:
The High Court erred in concluding that the appellants could misappropriate dowry or practice cruelty without specific evidence. It failed to provide reasons for interfering with the lower courts factual findings. The appellate court noted that the High Courts approach was presumptuous and violated principles of natural justice by not articulating its rationale, undermining the appellate function and the right to reasoned decisions.
Issues:
Whether customary articles given to relatives can be characterized as dowry under the Dowry Prohibition Act; whether the High Court properly interfered with the lower courts factual findings without providing reasons; and whether the accused can be implicated by mere association without evidence of dowry demands or cruelty.
Ratio Decidendi:
The court held that dowry must be strictly distinguished from customary gifts and ceremonial exchanges. Interference with factual findings by a higher court requires clear, reasoned orders; otherwise, it constitutes a denial of justice. Absence of reasons renders such orders unsustainable, irrespective of the merits of the case.
Result:
The appeal is allowed to the extent of setting aside the High Courts impugned order, with no opinion expressed on the merits concerning the husband Jaswant.
(A) The appeal pertains to the interpretation and application of provisions under the Indian Penal Code, 1860, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973. Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, were invoked in a complaint alleging dowry-related harassment, criminal breach of trust, hurt, and criminal intimidation. Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, defines dowry as property or valuable security given in connection with the marriage, excluding customary presents not tied as consideration for the marriage. The proceedings involved a revision petition under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, questioning the discharge of certain accused persons by the lower courts. The appellate court emphasized that interference with factual findings requires clear reasoning, especially where an earlier order correctly identifies relevant parties and dismisses others. The absence of stated reasons for setting aside the trial courts order was treated as a critical procedural flaw.
(B) Key legal principles include that dowry demands must be linked to marriage and distinguished from customary gifts; appellate courts must provide reasoned orders when interfering with factual findings; and the accused cannot be implicated merely by association without evidence of direct involvement or demands for dowry.
Facts of the case:
A complaint was filed alleging offences under Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 506, 148, and 149 of the Indian Penal Code by Kurra Ram against Jaswant, his wife Saroj, and other relatives including Ran Singh, Raj Bala, Jai Singh, and Suman. The complaint centered on harassment for dowry after Sarojs marriage to Jaswant. The Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate proceeded against the accused, but subsequent revision petitions led to a finding that only Jaswant had sufficient evidence against him. The Additional Sessions Judge discharged Jai Singh and Suman, noting they were merely residing in the house and not interfering in matrimonial issues. The Punjab and Haryana High Court allowed the revision, observed that elders could misappropriate dowry, and set aside the earlier order without providing reasons.
Findings of Court:
The High Court erred in concluding that the appellants could misappropriate dowry or practice cruelty without specific evidence. It failed to provide reasons for interfering with the lower courts factual findings. The appellate court noted that the High Courts approach was presumptuous and violated principles of natural justice by not articulating its rationale, undermining the appellate function and the right to reasoned decisions.
Issues:
Whether customary articles given to relatives can be characterized as dowry under the Dowry Prohibition Act; whether the High Court properly interfered with the lower courts factual findings without providing reasons; and whether the accused can be implicated by mere association without evidence of dowry demands or cruelty.
Ratio Decidendi:
The court held that dowry must be strictly distinguished from customary gifts and ceremonial exchanges. Interference with factual findings by a higher court requires clear, reasoned orders; otherwise, it constitutes a denial of justice. Absence of reasons renders such orders unsustainable, irrespective of the merits of the case.
Result:
The appeal is allowed to the extent of setting aside the High Courts impugned order, with no opinion expressed on the merits concerning the husband Jaswant.
judgment
Dr. Arijit Pasayat, J. —
1.Leave granted.
2.Challenge in this appeal is to the order passed by a learned Single Judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court allowing the Revision Petition filed under Section 401 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 (in short the ‘Code’) which was filed before it by Kurra Ram since deceased and represented by his daughter i.e. respondent No.2 in the present appeal.
3.Background facts in a nutshell are as follows:
A complaint was filed by the aforesaid Kurra Ram alleging commission of offences punishable under Sections 498-A, 406, 323, 506, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (in short the ‘IPC’) by Jaswant-son in law and husband of his daughter-Saroj, Ran Singh and Raj Bala, the present appellants who were father and mother of Jaswant and two others namely, Jai Singh and Suman, the brother and married sister of Jaswant.
It was stated in the complaint that Saroj got married to Jaswant on 14.4.1994 and that she was harassed for dowry by the aforesaid accused persons. Learned Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Hissar, after recording preliminary evidence of the complainant, decided to proceed against all the accused persons for the alleged offences. Separate Revision Petitions were filed by Jai Singh, Ran Singh and Suman taking the stand that there is no offence made out so far as they are concerned. Learned Additional Sessions Judge found that no case was made out against aforesaid accused persons and directed that proceedings would continue only against Jaswant. The order dated 4.11.2003 disposing of the revisions in the aforesaid manner was challenged by Kurra Ram in the Revision Petition before the High Court. It was held by High Court that there is no ground to proceed against Jai Singh and Suman who may just be living in the house, but may not be interfering in matrimonial problems of Saroj and Jaswant. Therefore, the order of the Additional Sessions Judge was upheld to that extent. But so far as the present appellants are concerned the High Court inter alia observed as follows:
“However, when articles of dowry are handed over to elder members in the family that will mean that those were handed over to Ran Singh and Raj Bala i.e. father and mother of the husband who could misappropriate. It is they who can practice cruelty for less dowry or otherwise.”(Underlined for emphasis)
The High Court noted that police had earlier registered a case and had sent cancellation report and thereafter the complaint was filed by Kurra Ram who appeared as PW-1, as his son Rajesh appeared as PW-2 and Saroj as PW-3.
4.Learned counsel for the appellants submitted that the High Court failed to notice that some customary articles were given to relatives of the bridegroom. That cannot be covered by the expression ‘dowry’. High Court noticed the fact that the complainant tried to rope even a married sister who was living far away and the brother, which shows the tendency to falsely implicate them. Reference is also made to the following observations of the High Court:
“..They are close relatives but the fact remains that an effort is made by the complainant to implicate as many persons as possible, in such matters.”
5.Learned counsel for the respondent-State and the complainant submitted that it is not a case where the Additional Sessions Judge should have interfered and the High Court has therefore rightly set aside the order dated 4.11.2003 which was impugned before it.
6.Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (in short ‘Dowry Act’) defines “dowry” as under:-
Section 2. Definition of ‘dowry’ In this Act, ‘dowry’ means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly
(a)by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or
(b)by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person, at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of the said parties, but does not include dower or mehr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim personal law (Shariat) applies.
Explanation I- For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any presents made at the time of a marriage to either party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of this section, unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties.
Explanation II- The expression ‘valuable security’ has the same meaning in Section 30 of the Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).”
7.The word “dowry” is defined in Section 2 of the Dowry Act. Thus, there are three occasions related to dowry. One is before the marriage, second is at the time of marriage and the third “at any time” after the marriage. The third occasion may appear to be unending period. But the crucial words are “in connection with the marriage of the said parties”. Other payments which are customary payments e.g. given at the time of birth of a child or other ceremonies as are prevalent in different societies are not covered by the expression “dowry”. (See Satvir Singh v. State of Punjab,1 (2001 (8) SCC 633))
8.The High Court has fallen in grave error while observing that present appellants “could misappropriate” and “who can practice cruelty”. The conclusions to say the least are presumptuous. Learned Additional Sessions Judge by a well reasoned order had held that there was no material to show that demand for any dowry was made and an attempt was made to rope in many persons. When the High Court was interfering with such conclusions arrived at on facts it ought to have indicated the reasons necessitating such interference. That has not been done and on the contrary on presumptuous conclusions the order of learned Additional Sessions Judge has been set aside.
9.Reasons introduce clarity in an order. On plainest consideration of justice, the High Court ought to have set forth its reasons, howsoever brief, in its order indicative of an application of its mind. The absence of reasons has rendered the High Court’s judgment not sustainable.
10.Even in respect of administrative orders Lord Denning M.R. in Breen v. Amalgamated Engineering Union,2 (1971 (1) All E.R. 1148) observed “The giving of reasons is one of the fundamentals of good administration”. In Alexander Machinery (Dudley) Ltd. v. Crabtree (1974 LCR 120) it was observed:
“Failure to give reasons amounts to denial of justice”. Reasons are live links between the mind of the decision taker to the controversy in question and the decision or conclusion arrived at”. Reasons substitute subjectivity by objectivity. The emphasis on recording reasons is that if the decision reveals the “inscrutable face of the sphinx”, it can, by its silence, render it virtually impossible for the Courts to perform their appellate function or exercise the power of judicial review in adjudging the validity of the decision. Right to reason is an indispensable part of a sound judicial system, reasons at least sufficient to indicate an application of mind to the matter before Court. Another rationale is that the affected party can know why the decision has gone against him. One of the salutary requirements of natural justice is spelling out reasons for the order made, in other words, a speaking out. The “inscrutable face of a sphinx” is ordinarily incongruous with a judicial or quasi-judicial performance.
11.It is to be noted that the High Court itself has held that there was an attempt to rope in many persons and it did not find any merit or challenge to the discharge of the married sister and the brother.
12.Above being the position, the impugned order of the High Court cannot be maintained and is set aside. We make it clear that we have not expressed any opinion on merits so far as husband Jaswant is concerned.
13.The appeal is allowed to the aforesaid extent.
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