Wife Of Trial Judge Writes To Bombay HC CJ Alleging Dowry Harassment By Husband, In-Laws; Inquiry Ordered

 Chief Justice Pradeep Nandrajog of Bombay High Court has forwarded a letter written by the wife of a sitting Civil Judge, Senior Division at Baramati to the registry in order to conduct a preliminary inquiry.

In the said letter dated July 29, the 37-year-old woman has alleged they got married on May 8, 2007 and soon thereafter, her husband along with his family members started harassing her for dowry. They demanded a car and 30 acres of agricultural land. Apart from this, the said judge and his family had already received Rs.5 lakh and furniture, even the expenses of the wedding were borne by the woman's family, the letter said.

The letter further states that after the complainant's father passed away, the judge and his family pressurized her to transfer her father's land in his name, when the complainant refused, she was assaulted by both her husband and his parents. She was then 'thrown out' of her matrimonial home.

After spending some time in Latur at her mother's place, she moved back into her matrimonial home but she was again forced to leave, her husband was posted in Akola at the time. Thereafter, on July 4, 2012 she filed an FIR against her husband under Section 498 A of Indian Penal Code.

According to the letter, the police failed to take any action in the matter and further advised to leave her husband and live with her mother.

Then, the letter states, an application for ad-interim maintenance was filed by the wife in August 2014. On October 16, 2016 Court ordered Rs.10,000 per month as maintenance to be paid to her. However, since the judge failed to comply with the order of maintenance, an execution application was filed by her in January 2019. Finally, she filed an application under Section 18 of the Hindu Adoptions and Maintenance Act, 1956.

Finally, the letter states-

"My husband is a sitting judge, he is harassing me and my family for dowry ……. I hope that the Chief Justice takes appropriate action to ensure justice is served"