Overview
- A bench of Justices B.V. Nagarathna and R. Mahadevan allowed the father’s appeal and set aside the Allahabad High Court’s bail order.
- The court called the High Court’s reasoning perverse for overlooking the gravity of the offence, corroborated dying declarations, and the statutory presumption of dowry death.
- Investigators cited a late‑night distress call alleging forcible administration of a foul‑smelling substance, with an FSL report later confirming aluminium phosphide.
- The prosecution alleges harassment for additional dowry soon after the February 22, 2023 marriage, including a demand for a Fortuner car.
- Framing dowry deaths as an assault on dignity under Articles 14 and 21, the court urged a firm, deterrent judicial response and warned that leniency erodes public confidence.