- (1.) Heard the learned counsel for the petitioner, the learned Public Prosecutor and the learned counsel for non-petitioner No. 2.
(2.) The facts which are relevant for the disposal of this petition may be summarised as below:-- The petitioner Khuman Chand filed a complaint in the court of learned Judicial Magistrate, No. 1, Bikaner on 3rd Feb. 1988 against 15 persons alleging the commission of the offences punishable under Sections 307, 406, 420, 342, 323, 427, 147, 148 read with 149, I.P.C. and under Section 3 read with 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. In his complaint Khuman Chand alleged that he settled the marriage of his daughter with Narendra Kumar (non-petitioner No. 3). The engagement took place on 17th Jan. 1988. At the time of engagement following sums were paid to persons mentioned below :- 1. Rs. 1101/- to Shri Punam Chand, the grand father of Narendra Kumar. 2. Rs. 401/- to Shri Singi Ji, maternal uncle of Narendra Kumar. 3. Rs. 201/- to Narendra Kumar. 4. Rs. 251/- Punam Chand by Jatan Lal. 5. Rs. 101/- to Narendra Kumar by Jatan Lal. 6. Amounts of Rs. 21/-, 51/- and Rs. 11/- were also paid by Shanti Lal, Sagar Mal and Hanuman Mal at the time of engagement.
(3.) Besides giving above mentioned amounts to persons named above, Rs. 400/- were spent on purchasing sweets and Rs. 490/- was spent for purchase of fruits. Rs. 925/- were paid for arranging the band and one golden ring bearing the inscription "Narendra " was also given to Narendra Kumar. It was also alleged in the complaint filed by Khuman Chand that it was agreed at the time of settlement of marriage that complainant would spend as much amount as his purse would allow. The date of marriage was fixed on 6th Feb. 1988. According to allegations made in the complaint on 20th January, 1988 Punam Chand, went to the house of the complainant and demanded a sum of Rs. 50,000/- as a consideration for marriage. The complainant refused to meet the demand and as a consequence the proposal for the marriage of his sister was withdrawn.;