Priya Indoria Vs State of Karnataka And Ors. Etc. (Supreme Court of India)
The Supreme Court of India has addressed a critical question regarding the territorial jurisdiction of High Courts and Courts of Session to grant anticipatory bail when a First Information Report (FIR) is registered outside their specific geographical limits. The case, Priya Indoria Vs. State of Karnataka And Ors. Etc., arose from a matrimonial dispute involving allegations of dowry harassment and cruelty, with the complainant and accused residing in different states.
The Controversy at a Glance
The core of the legal debate revolves around whether a court can grant anticipatory bail for an offense registered in a state or district different from where the application for bail is filed. The Supreme Court illustrated this with an example: if a person commits an offense in Goa but works in Odisha and fears arrest, can they seek anticipatory bail from a court in Odisha, or must they approach a court in Goa?
Case Background
The present appeal was filed by Priya Indoria (complainant-wife) against orders of the Additional City Civil and Sessions Judge, Bengaluru City. These orders granted anticipatory bail to her husband and his family members (accused Nos. 2, 3, & 4) in an FIR registered in Chirawa Police Station, District Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan. The FIR alleged offenses under Sections 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
