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Joint Women's Programme v. State Of Rajasthan And Others

Joint Women's Programme
v.
State Of Rajasthan And Others

(Supreme Court Of India)

Writ Petition No. 707 of 1986 | 24-03-1987


1. By way of an interim order we direct the State of Rajasthan and the State of Haryana and the concerned police officials to proceed with the investigation into the unnatural deaths of Mrs. Kantha and Mrs. Prasani Devi. We direct that investigation shall be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police. In case it has so far been conducted by an officer lower in rank to him, the Superintendent of Police will also give a fresh look to the whole matter and proceed further with the investigation without being inhibited by the view taken by the subordinate officers earlier if circumstances so demand

2. We also direct the States of Rajasthan and Haryana by way of an interim order to create a Special Dowry Cell at the State level to investigate into the dowry deaths through specialised investigative units

3. One or two leading women social workers to be named by the Ministry dealing with the Social Welfare and Womens problems, may be associated with such dowry cells

4. The matter shall be listed after summer vacation

Court Master

Advocates List

For

For Petitioner
  • Shekhar Naphade
  • Mahesh Agrawal
  • Tarun Dua
For Respondent
  • S. Vani
  • B. Sunita Rao
  • Sushil Kumar Pathak

Bench List

HON'BLE JUSTICE B. C. RAY

HON'BLE JUSTICE M. P. THAKKAR

Eq Citation

JT 1987 (1) SC 764

AIR 1987 SC 2060

1987 (1) SCALE 692

LQ/SC/1987/316

HeadNote

Constitution of India — Arts. 21 and 32 — Dowry deaths — Investigation into — Interim directions issued — Investigation to be conducted by an officer not below the rank of Superintendent of Police — In case it has so far been conducted by an officer lower in rank to him, the Superintendent of Police will also give a fresh look to the whole matter and proceed further with the investigation without being inhibited by the view taken by the subordinate officers earlier if circumstances so demand — States of Rajasthan and Haryana directed to create a Special Dowry Cell at the State level to investigate into the dowry deaths through specialised investigative units — One or two leading women social workers to be named by the Ministry dealing with the Social Welfare and Women's problems, may be associated with such dowry cells — Penal Code, 1860, S. 304-B