In a striking turn of events, the Allahabad High Court (Lucknow Bench) has granted bail to a father-in-law accused in a dowry-death case, remarking that “fake cases of dowry demand are on the rise”.

Justice Pankaj Bhatia issued the order after the informant — the victim’s brother — who had earlier gone all the way to the Supreme Court seeking cancellation of the accused’s bail, dramatically turned hostile during the trial, retracting all his allegations.

Supreme Court had earlier cancelled the bail

The development is significant because just months ago, the Supreme Court had cancelled bail for the same accused and his wife, citing prima facie evidence of dowry harassment, domestic violence and strangulation of the young bride.

The top court had warned that when a woman dies under suspicious circumstances within two years of marriage, courts must exercise “heightened vigilance”, and that granting bail casually could shake public confidence.

Witnesses reverse statements; prosecution collapses

Following the SC’s order, the accused surrendered and the trial began — only for the case to unravel in court.

  • PW-1 (informant) said he made allegations under pressure from “members of society”.
  • He admitted that during the inquest, he stated the victim had died by suicide.
  • PW-2 (victim’s father) said his daughter was never harassed for dowry, nor killed.
  • Other close relatives, including the victim’s maternal uncle and elder sister, also turned hostile.

Calling the situation “very unfortunate”, the High Court noted that the informant first took a strong stand before the Supreme Court and then completely reversed it at trial.

Court points to “stark reality of society”

Observing this pattern, Justice Bhatia said:

“Fake cases of demand of dowry are on the rise… this fact cannot be ignored.”

The court added that the informant’s conduct reveals the “stark reality of society”, where allegations may shift due to pressure, compromise or other motives.

Given that the accused has been in custody since March 17, 2025, and that no prosecution witness supported the charges, the court granted bail with conditions.

Case background

The victim, Shahida Bano, died in January 2024 within two years of her marriage. She was found with a dupatta tied around her neck and attached to a ceiling fan.

However, the post-mortem revealed ante-mortem strangulation and traumatic injuries, prompting charges under:

  • Section 304B IPC (dowry death)
  • Section 498A IPC (cruelty)
  • Dowry Prohibition Act

While the High Court initially granted bail citing clean antecedents, the victim’s father challenged it in the Supreme Court, which sharply criticised the HC’s “mechanical approach”.

What the Supreme Court had said

The top court had emphasised:

  • A young bride’s suspicious death demands strict judicial scrutiny.
  • Patterns of dowry harassment and injuries form a strong prima facie case.
  • Casual bail orders in such cases can erode public trust in the justice system.

But after witnesses reversed their statements, the High Court concluded that circumstances had “substantially changed”, warranting reconsideration.