Mahima
The Madras High Court held that in-laws should not go unnoticed in bride suicide cases merely because they didn’t live together.
In lieu of the above rationale, the court refused to suspend the sentence of two years or rigorous punishment in a dowry harassment case on the parents of the newly wed groom imposed by the lower court.
Justice P Velmurugan held, “Since the in-laws are not residing with their son and the victim woman and they are seeking suspension of sentence on that ground… Taking advantage of that, a wrong message has gone to society that the parents can easily escape from their liability and the alleged offence”.
The Court further explained that the responsibility of parents doesn’t end with providing shelter and education and motivating their children to get a job but they should also groom their children as responsible citizens.
The Court noted that there has been a spike in women committing suicide due to dowry harassment.
On the other hand, the in-laws were trying to escape liability by saying that they did not live with the son.
The Court noted that the parents induced for dowry in form of cash or jewellery or automobiles even after staying separately.
The Court concluded, “Given the nature and gravity of the offence committed by the accused, this Court is not inclined to suspend the sentence”.