Lack of evidence, court acquitted the accused of cruelty and dowry death

Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted a man of cruelty and dowry death charges, finding that the prosecution had failed to prove allegations that he had subjected his wife to cruelty and harassment. The case, based on sections 498A and 304B of the IPC, claimed that Neelam, wife of accused Jitendra Gehlot, committed suicide on January 24, 2018, due to dowry-related abuse. However, the court ruled that the prosecution did not establish any unlawful demand for property or valuable security by Gehlot.

The court noted shortcomings and inconsistencies in the statements of the deceased’s mother, daughter and brother, stating that the mother’s testimony was based on hearsay, and the brother’s account of the steps taken following his sister’s plea for help. There was lack of information. The judgment found the prosecution’s case to have “miserably failed” to prove cruelty or harassment during marriage.

It said the prosecution could not establish circumstances of harassment or cruelty related to dowry demands leading to the death of the deceased. As a result, the court concluded that Gehlot was acquitted of all charges, emphasizing the prosecution’s inability to prove the case against him.