Bombay High Court
CHANDRAKALA NAGNATH SULTANPUREversusTHE STATE OF MAHARASHTRA
- Disposal
- APPLICATION ALLOWED
Holding
The court allowed the anticipatory bail application, directing the applicant to appear before the investigating officer and imposing standard bail conditions.
Summary
Chandrakala Nagnath Sultanpur applied for anticipatory bail fearing arrest in a case (CR No. 173/2026) involving alleged dowry harassment that led to a suicide. The FIR alleged that she demanded money and harassed the victim, while the husband was also implicated and already on bail. The applicant argued she had surrendered her share of compensation from a land acquisition, indicating no motive, and presented evidence of good relations with the deceased. The court found the allegations against her vague and not warranting custodial interrogation, noting the husband’s conduct could be the primary cause of the suicide. Consequently, the court granted anticipatory bail with conditions including a personal bond, surety, appearance before the investigating officer, and non‑interference with witnesses or evidence.
Issues considered
- Whether anticipatory bail should be granted to the applicant under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
- Whether the allegations against the applicant constitute sufficient ground for arrest and custodial interrogation.
- Whether the applicant’s surrender of compensation share negates a motive for dowry harassment.
Legislation cited
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 — s. 108, 3(5), 352, 80
Subjects
- anticipatory bail
- dowry harassment
- suicide
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- criminal procedure
- bail conditions
- investigation
- compensation surrender
Judgment
2026:BHC-AUG:44234
921-ABA-1246-2026.odt
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUDICATURE AT BOMBAY
BENCH AT AURANGABAD
921 ANTICIPATORY BAIL APPLICATION NO. 1246 OF 2026
Chandrakala Nagnath Sultanpure
Versus
The State Of Maharashtra
Mr. M. V. Salunke, Advocate for Applicant
Mr. S. B. Narwade, APP for Respondents
CORAM :R.M. JOSHI, J
DATE :SEPTEMBER 29, 2026
P. C. :
1. Applicant apprehends arrest in connection with C.R. No.
173/2026 registered with Police Station Murum, District Dharashiv for the
offences punishable under Sections 108, 80, 352, 3(5) of the Bharatiya
Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
2. First information report lodged by the Sangita Sarne reported
about her daughter was married to accused no.1 being harassed for
demanding dowry and non fulfillment of the same. There are also
allegations against husband of causing harassment to her and refusing to
visit the parental home of the victim on auspicious occasions. There is
allegation against present applicant that the Applicant was demanding
money and for non fulfillment of the same, deceased was harassed, which
has resulted and laid her to commit suicide.
3. Learned Counsel for the Applicant, at the outset, submits that
deceased was social media influencer and always eager to gather huge
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number of followers. In support of this submission, he placed reliance on
documentary evidence placed on record. He also drew attention of the Court
to the photographs indicating very good relations between deceased and
members of family of the Applicant. Apart from this, it is his submission that
the Applicant is the one who has surrendered her share from the
compensation received in respect of the acquisition of the land, which shows
that there is no possibility of Applicant having harassed victim for non
fulfillment of the dowry. He further submits that the allegations in the FIR
are basically against the husband, who is arrested and released on bail. It is
his submission that having regard to these facts, custodial interrogation of
the Applicant is not necessary.
4. Learned APP opposed grant of any relief to the Applicant by
referring to the first information report so also statements recorded during
the course of investigation. It is his submission that as per the one of such
statements, after surrendering her share, the Applicant has again demanded
her share in the said compensation. This, according to him, indicates that
there is no substance in defence sought to be taken by the Applicant.
5. Prima facie perusal of the record supports the contention of
learned Counsel for the Applicant that the Applicant has surrendered her
share in the compensation. This becomes relevant in the light of the fact that
there are vague allegations against the Applicant for demand of money and
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harassment to the victim for non fulfillment of the same.
6. This Court also finds reason believe that considering the acts
alleged against the husband, the same probably could be the reason, which
would have driven deceased to commit suicide. Having regard to the
aforestated facts, the custodial interrogation of the Applicant is not
necessary. Appropriate direction to the Applicant to appear before the
investigating officer will serve the purpose of investigation. Hence, the
order:
ORDER
(i) Anticipatory Bail Application is allowed.
(ii) In the event of arrest of the Applicant in connection with C.R.
No. 173/2026 registered with Police Station Murum, District
Dharashiv for the offences punishable under Sections 108, 80,
352, 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, she shall be
released on bail on furnishing PR bond of Rs. 15,000 (Rupees
Fifteen Thousand Only) with one surety in the like amount.
(iii) She shall attend the concerned police station on 08.10.2026
and thereafter as and when required upon written notice
from I.O.
(iv) She shall not contact the witnesses directly or indirectly.
(v) She shall not interfere with the evidence in any manner
whatsoever.
(vi) She is further directed to cooperate the investigating agency
for further investigation.
(R. M. JOSHI, J.)
Malani
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