Laxmi Narain Mittal, J. - (1.) ACCUSED Sardul Singh has filed this petition for regular bail in case FIR No.8 dated 07.01.2001, under Section 304 -B of the Indian Penal Code (in short - IPC), registered at Police Station Mehta, District Amritsar.
(2.) I have heard learned counsel for the parties and perused the case file. Petitioner is husband of the deceased. FIR is dated 07.01.2001 i.e. almost 11 years ago. The petitioner was declared Proclaimed Offender, whereas his co -accused were tried and acquitted. It is case of dowry death.
(3.) ON the last date of hearing, counsel for the petitioner stated that the petitioner had gone abroad about four months before the death of the deceased and has thereafter returned to India only in May 2011 for the first time. However, today learned counsel for the petitioner states that the petitioner had left India on 09.11.2000 i.e. about two months before the occurrence and returned to India in March 2009, but surrendered to the police in May 2011 i.e. 02 years 02 months after his return to India. Counsel for the petitioner vehemently contended that according to the prosecution version, the deceased had left the matrimonial home on the date of suicide itself, but it has been found that she was living in the parental home for seven months. It was also pointed out that the petitioner had left India about two months before the suicide, and therefore, he is not guilty of dowry death.;