Mumbai, January 29, 2022 – Kalyan Krishna Chaki, a naval officer, has been granted bail by the Sessions Court for Greater Mumbai in a dowry death case. Additional Sessions Judge Sonali P. Agarwal (Court Room No. 41) issued the order on January 28, 2022.
Chaki was arrested in connection with C.R. No. 387/2021, registered at the Cuff Parade Police Station, for offenses under Sections 304(B) (dowry death), 306 (abetment of suicide), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (intentional insult), and 506 (criminal intimidation) read with 34 (acts done by several persons in furtherance of common intention) of the Indian Penal Code1 (IPC).
Background and Allegations:
The prosecution alleged that the deceased committed suicide due to mental and physical cruelty inflicted by her husband, Chaki, and other co-accused. A charge sheet was filed in the case.
Arguments Presented:
Advocate Prasad Panchal, representing Chaki, argued that he was falsely implicated and that there was no quarrel between him and the deceased. He contended that he had no intention to instigate her suicide and requested bail, citing his service in the Indian Navy.
Additional Designated Public Prosecutor (ADPP) Meera Choudhary-Bhosale, representing the State, opposed the bail, arguing that Chaki might threaten witnesses and the complainant. They also expressed concerns that, given his residence in West Bengal, he might not remain present for the trial.
Court’s Reasoning and Decision:
Judge Agarwal noted that the charge sheet had been filed and that the trial would determine whether Chaki was responsible for the deceased’s suicide. She highlighted that Chaki serves in the Indian Navy and has no criminal antecedents on record.
Considering these circumstances, the court deemed it proper to release Chaki on bail with certain conditions.
Bail Conditions:
Chaki was granted bail upon furnishing a personal bond (PB) and surety bond (SB) of Rs. 15,000 each, with one or more sureties of the same amount. The following conditions were imposed:
- Chaki must not threaten or cause injury to the complainant.
- He must not tamper with prosecution evidence.
- He must not leave India without permission from the court.
- He must not directly or indirectly influence, threaten, or promise any person acquainted with the case.
- He must provide his mobile number, phone number, and all addresses (permanent, temporary, and postal) to the Investigating Officer and must not change or discontinue the provided mobile number until the conclusion of the trial. The Investigating Officer must submit these addresses to the court.
Order Details:
The order was dictated, transcribed, and signed on January 28, 2022. The certified copy was uploaded on January 29, 2022, at 12:09 p.m.
This decision reflects the court’s consideration of the filed charge sheet, Chaki’s service in the Indian Navy, the lack of criminal antecedents, and the imposition of conditions to ensure his compliance with the legal process.