The Madras High Court has quashed a case in a lower court against IPS officer Varun Kumar of dowry harassment and cheating charges levelled by his former girlfriend, observing it "maliciously-instituted" criminal proceedings.
Allowing the petitions filed by the IPS officer and his parents, he said it was manifestly clear that none of the offences had been clearly made out.
As pointed out in the enquiry report of the district social welfare officer, there could have been many other reasons for the break of love between Kumar and the defacto complainant (former girlfriend), he said.
Quoting a Supreme Court on scope for interference by high courts in exercise of powers under Section 482 of CrPC, the judge said, "The present case in hand, is a classic example of a maliciously instituted criminal proceedings."
By permitting the trial court to proceed with the trial against all the petitioners would only aggravate the ill feelings among the parties and would certainly cause serious prejudice to the petitioners, the judge held and quashed the proceedings.
The IPS officer was accused of several charges including dowry harassment by his former girlfriend. According to her, he had allegedly promised to marry her.
They had prepared for civil services examination together. The attitude of Kumar, however, changed after he was selected for the IPS in 2011, she had charged in her complaint.
He and his parents allegedly demanded dowry of two kg gold, Rs 50 lakh and a luxury car. They refused to conduct the marriage if the demand was not fulfilled, she had charged.
By permitting the trial court to proceed with the criminal trial against all the petitioners herein would only aggravate the ill feelings among the parties and would certainly cause serious prejudice to the petitioners.
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