Nashik cops file FIR against old couple in domestic violence case after their death

Representational image. Pic/iStock

The Nashik police have booked eight people, including two who died last year, in a case of domestic violence.

The complainant, Mehrunnisa, had talked about harassment by her in-laws to the Women's Commission in 2019, but it was referred to the police only earlier this year. Two of the accused, her parents-in-law Nijamudhin and Shakira Choudhari died nine months ago.

The case has been filed under section 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives of husband) of the IPC under all the eight accused mentioned in the original complaint, filed over three years ago.

Nashik cops file FIR against old couple in domestic violence case after their death

‘Cops did not verify details'

Advocate Anil Sharma, who represented the accused in the Nashik district court, told mid-day, "I have secured bail for all accused except for the two deceased mentioned in the FIR."

Six other accused booked in the case have secured bail. Representation pic

He alleged that the police lodged the FIR without verifying the complaint and case details. "Had the police done their basic verification, the names of deceased people would not have appeared. This shows that in many cases police do register FIRs without verifying details. Cases where people's names are mentioned without any verification are dangerous for society as there is a risk that people might be named without committing any crime. It can even ruin the careers of innocent people," Sharma added.

Sunil Rohokale, senior inspector at Mumbai Naka police station clarified on the issue. "The complainant had mentioned about harassment from in-laws and the case is still there. In such cases the police take complaints based on when the harassment started and who all were involved at the time of crime. And while filing the case, all those people are mentioned. But if any person mentioned in the FIR is dead, the police file a B Summary report. This is the procedure and there is nothing wrong with it," he said.

The case

As per the complaint, Mehrunnisa, who got married to Salimuddin Choudhari in 2015, started being tortured and harassed by her in-laws within a few months.

In her complaint, she made allegations against eight people for mentally and physically torturing her. She alleged that her in-laws were forcing her to bring money from her father - which technically amounts to dowry. "My husband and in-laws told me to bring Rs 35 lakh from my father. My father even gave around R7 lakh," the complainant said in her statement, a copy of which is with mid-day.

When contacted, Mehrunnisa's brother answered the call and told mid-day, "We do not want to speak about the case. Whatever information you need on the case, please take it from the police department."