‘Fake Dowry Cases Are Rising’: Allahabad HC Again Grants Bail to Father-in-Law After SC Cancelled Earlier Relief

The Allahabad High Court recently granted bail to a man accused in his daughter-in-law's dowry death case after key prosecution witnesses, including the victim's brother and other close relatives, retracted their allegations before the trial court.

The order comes months after the Supreme Court had cancelled the father-in-law’s earlier bail, stressing that courts must show heightened vigilance in cases where a young bride dies under suspicious circumstances soon after marriage. "The social message from the judicial orders cannot be overstated when a young bride dies under the suspicious circumstances merely within two years of marriage, the judiciary must reflect heightened vigilance and seriousness," the Supreme Court had said.

Mukhtar Ahmad (the bail applicant), along with his wife, son and two daughters, was named as an accused in an FIR lodged by his daughter-in-law’s brother at Kotwali Nagar police station in Sultanpur under Sections 498-A and 304-B of the IPC and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The FIR alleged that the family demanded a motorcycle and a car as dowry and that although a motorcycle was given, the demands continued for a car. It further alleged that on January 22, 2024, Ahmad called the victim’s father to their house, where he found his daughter hanging from a ceiling fan with a dupatta, with her knees still resting on the bed.

Ahmad's first bail application had been allowed by the high court in May 2024, but that order was later challenged before the Supreme Court.

In March this year, the apex court set aside the bail, remarking that dowry deaths remain a disturbing reality in Indian society and that courts must approach such cases with deeper scrutiny.

Following the Supreme Court’s directions, Ahmad and his wife surrendered before the trial court. During the subsequent proceedings, several prosecution witnesses appeared for examination, and their statements significantly altered the complexion of the case.

The informant (deceased's brother), who had earlier challenged the grant of bail before the Supreme Court, told the trial court that allegations of dowry demand were made at the instance of people in society. He also said that he had initially informed local authorities that the victim had taken her own life. He was declared hostile.

The victim’s father, who was examined as another key witness, stated that she was neither harassed for dowry nor killed. Two other relatives of the deceased, including her maternal uncle and elder sister, also failed to support the prosecution’s version. They too were declared hostile.

Taking note of the change in witness testimony, the high court observed that the situation highlighted a troubling pattern in which allegations sometimes shift during the course of proceedings.

Court remarked that fake cases of dowry demand appear to be increasing, and this matter reflected an unfortunate situation where the informant took one position before the Supreme Court but later retracted it before the trial court.

After examining the statements on record and noting that Ahmad had been in custody since mid-March, court held that he was entitled to be released on bail.

The bench of Justice Pankaj Bhatia said the witness testimonies could not be ignored, especially when all key relatives of the deceased had declined to support the prosecution.

Court directed that Ahmad be released upon furnishing a personal bond and two sureties of Rs. 20,000 each. It also laid down conditions requiring him to attend court hearings, refrain from committing offences similar to those alleged, and to avoid influencing or intimidating witnesses or tampering with evidence.

Case Title: Mukhtar Ahmad vs. State Of U.P. Thru. Addl. Chief Secy. Home Lko.

Order Date: November 13, 2025

Bench: Justice Pankaj Bhatia