Delhi HC: Mere Non-Return of Stridhan Insufficient for Section 406 IPC Without Specific Entrustment

In Harcharanjeet Bains v. State (NCT of Delhi), the Delhi High Court partly quashed criminal proceedings arising from a matrimonial dispute. The Court held that the allegations disclosed a prima facie case under Section 498A IPC, allowing those proceedings to continue. However, the complaint did not establish that the petitioner had been entrusted with the alleged stridhan or exercised dominion over it, as required for prosecution under Section 406 IPC. The Court accordingly quashed the Section 406 proceedings against him. The Trial Court was directed to independently consider the limitation plea concerning the remaining proceedings.
 
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