Mumbai, April 15, 2024: Satish Laxman Usakilla, a 31-year-old resident of Kurla, Mumbai, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Bombay in connection with the alleged dowry death of his wife. The order, issued by Additional Sessions Judge Dr. Gauri Kawdikar, comes after Usakilla was arrested in January 2024 following the registration of a case under stringent sections of the Indian Penal Code.
Usakilla was facing charges under Sections 304-B (dowry death), 306 (abetment of suicide), 498-A (cruelty by husband or relatives), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), and 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) read with Section 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the1 IPC. The case, registered as C.R. No. 39/2024 at Ghatkopar Police Station, stemmed from the death of Usakilla’s wife, who allegedly committed suicide on January 9, 2024.
The Allegations:
The prosecution, represented by Additional Public Prosecutor Meera Choudhari-Bhosale, alleged that Usakilla and his mother had been harassing the deceased since their marriage on May 12, 2022. The core of the allegations revolved around dowry demands, physical and verbal abuse, and ultimately, abetment of suicide. The First Information Report (FIR) detailed claims that the accused demanded Rs. 25,000 for renting a room and that the deceased’s family had transferred money to Usakilla on multiple occasions. Notably, the FIR also mentioned an incident on December 25, 2023, where the deceased reportedly told her mother she would end her life if the harassment continued.
Statements from witnesses corroborated the FIR, indicating that the deceased had previously attempted suicide by consuming phenyl.
Defense Arguments and Court’s Observations:
Advocate Sumedh H. Jagtap, representing Usakilla, argued that his client had no role in the alleged offences and that the allegations were vague and general. He emphasized that Usakilla had no criminal antecedents, was a permanent resident of Mumbai, and was willing to abide by all court conditions. Jagtap further pointed out that the charge sheet had been filed, negating the need for further custodial interrogation.
Judge Kawdikar, in her order, acknowledged the seriousness of the charges but noted that the investigation was complete and the charge sheet had been filed. She observed that the co-accused, Usakilla’s mother, had already been granted anticipatory bail. The court also recognized Usakilla’s roots in society and the absence of any criminal history, indicating a low risk of him fleeing justice.
Conditions of Bail:
Granting bail, the court imposed several conditions to ensure Usakilla’s cooperation with the legal process and to protect the complainant and witnesses:
- Usakilla was ordered to execute a Personal Recognizance (PR) bond of Rs. 50,000 with one or more sureties of the same amount.
- He is prohibited from tampering with prosecution witnesses or evidence.
- He must attend Ghatkopar Police Station as and when called by the Investigating Officer with a written notice, until the conclusion of the trial.
- He is barred from leaving India without prior permission from the court.
- He must provide his permanent and temporary addresses, along with contact details, to the police station.
- He is required to inform the Investigation Officer and the court of any change in his residential address.
- The prosecution retains the right to move for cancellation of bail if Usakilla violates any of the conditions.
Implications and Future Proceedings:
The granting of bail to Usakilla marks a significant development in the case. While the court has allowed his release, the trial will proceed, and the prosecution will have the opportunity to present its evidence. The court’s decision highlights the balance between the presumption of innocence and the gravity of the allegations in dowry death cases.
This case will continue to be closely monitored as it progresses through the legal system, with implications for how such cases are handled in the future.