Allahabad High Court Grants Bail in Dowry Death Case After Key Witnesses Turn Hostile

Court highlights the issue of false dowry allegations as pivotal witnesses retract statements, influencing bail decision.

In a significant development, the Allahabad High Court has granted bail to Mukhtar Ahmad, an accused in a dowry death case, acknowledging the lack of evidence following the retraction of statements by crucial prosecution witnesses. The decision was delivered by Justice Pankaj Bhatia on November 13, 2025, in a case that has spotlighted the complexities surrounding dowry-related allegations in India.

The case against Ahmad stemmed from an FIR registered under sections 498-A and 304-B of the Indian Penal Code, along with sections 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, following the untimely demise of his wife under suspicious circumstances within two years of their marriage. Ahmad's initial bail, granted by the High Court, was previously set aside by the Supreme Court, which emphasized the need for diligent scrutiny in dowry death cases due to their grave societal implications.

However, the landscape of the case shifted dramatically during the trial. Key prosecution witnesses, including the informant and close relatives of the deceased, turned hostile. The informant, initially a staunch proponent of the dowry demand allegations, retracted his statements during trial, admitting they were made under societal pressure. Similarly, the deceased's father and other relatives did not support the prosecution's narrative, leading the court to reconsider the evidence's credibility.

Justice Bhatia, while granting bail, noted the alarming rise in false dowry cases, as demonstrated by the current proceedings. The court emphasized the unfortunate reality where societal pressures and false narratives can cloud the judicial process, impacting both the accused and the integrity of legal proceedings.

Mukhtar Ahmad, who has been in custody since March 17, 2025, was granted bail on furnishing a personal bond and sureties, with conditions to ensure his compliance with judicial proceedings and to prevent any further offenses or tampering with evidence.

This case underscores the judiciary's challenge in balancing societal concerns with the rights of the accused, especially in sensitive cases of dowry deaths. The High Court's decision reflects a nuanced understanding of the evolving societal dynamics and the necessity for judicial vigilance in discerning genuine cases from fabricated ones.

Bottom Line:

Bail application in dowry death case allowed after reconsidering the evidence where the prosecution witnesses, including close relatives of the deceased, turned hostile and did not support the allegations of dowry demand or harassment.

Statutory provision(s): Indian Penal Code Section 498-A, Section 304-B, Dowry Prohibition Act Section 3/4, Criminal Procedure Code Section 439

Mukhtar Ahmad v. State of U.P., (Allahabad)(Lucknow) : Law Finder Doc Id # 2821472