HC grants anticipatory bail to doctor in dowry case

The Bombay High Court today granted anticipatory bail to a doctor who feared arrest in a dowry case filed by his wife at Dahanu in nearby Palghar district.
Justice S S Jadhav said in the event of arrest, the applicant Dr Janardhan Patil be released on bail on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 15,000 with surety.
The court also asked the doctor to cooperate with the investigating agency in the probe.
Patil's wife is also a doctor and the couple have a 17-year-old daughter. The wife lodged a police complaint in May this year under section 498 A IPC (cruelty), alleging that all through the 18 years of her marriage, he had humiliated her.

She alleged Patil retained her entire income, refused to give her any money for personal expenses and had taken possession of the gold ornaments which she had brought as 'streedhan' at the time of marriage.
Patil's lawyer denied all the allegations, contending that her parents had created a ruckus at his clinic in May last year in front of patients and tried to tarnish his reputation.
He submitted that he was also assaulted, and when he filed a police complaint, a false dowry complaint was filed.
The court noted that as there was a matrimonial dispute, a mediator had been appointed who was trying to bring about a reconcilation so anticipatory bail should be granted.