Vikram v. State of Haryana

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
CRIMINAL APPELLATE JURISDICTION

Criminal Appeal No. /2026
(Arising out of SLP(Crl.) No.13390/2026)

VIKRAM Appellant
VERSUS
STATE OF HARYANA Respondent

[NyayVidhan note: paragraphs 1-8 carry the Court's numbers. The signed order leaves the Criminal Appeal number blank; the Supreme Court's Latest Orders listing gives it as Crl.A. No. 4977/2026. The record of proceedings of 16.10.2026, which follows the signed order, is given in abridged form, with the interlocutory applications and the list of counsel each on one line; the digital-signature block, Registry signatures and page footers are left out. The order's own spellings are kept as printed (for example, "cruetly" in paragraph 6 and "we allow this appeal is allowed" in paragraph 7).]

[Source: Supreme Court of India, www.sci.gov.in — order dated 16.10.2026.]

O R D E R

1. Heard.

2. Leave granted.

3. Appellant has challenged the impugned judgment and order dated 21.05.2026 passed by the High Court Punjab and Haryana in CRMM No. 16006/2026 whereunder the appellant prayed for grant of regular bail and same has been dismissed.

4. It is the case of the prosecution that appellant and his family members continuously harassed the deceased for a Creta Car and a Gold Chain, denied her food during pregnancy and secretly administered abortion pills causing her miscarriage which ultimately led to her to commit suicide on 16.03.2025.

5. We have heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties. Mr. K Parameshwar, learned senior counsel appearing for the appellant submits that medical records conclusively prove that deceased was suffering from pre-existing ailments Brain TB, PCOD, Kidney Stones and her pregnancy was not viable (missed abortion) leading to a medically advised (D&C) procedure on 15.03.2025 and she was never administered or forced to consume abortion pills. He also contends that appellant was a caring husband who constantly provided the deceased-wife the medical treatment and had in fact admitted the deceased to medical insurance in the month of February, 2025, which contradicts the prosecution theory of cruelty and denial of food and care. Hence, he prays for allowing the appeal grant of bail. Whereas, the learned counsel appearing for the respondent-State supports the impugned order and prays for dismissal of the appeal.

6. Having heard the learned counsel appearing for the parties, we notice at the outset, that there is a delay of 18 hours in registering the FIR. The initial statement given by the brother of the deceased during the inquest proceedings does not contain any allegation of dowry demand cruetly or suspicion against the appellant. Prima Facie, the post mortem report also indicate that the dead body of the deceased as found was healthy with no external injury or struggle marks and as such the prosecution will have to establish beyond reasonable doubt the alleged physical assault and starvation meted out to the deceased. Hence, we desist from examining the grounds urged in the present appeal as it is likely to prejudice the prosecution case.

7. For the reasons aforesaid, we are of the considered view that appellant is entitled to be released on bail. Accordingly, we allow this appeal is allowed and set aside the impugned order. Appellant is ordered to be released on regular bail on such terms and conditions as the jurisdictional Court deems fit to impose.

8. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.

…………………………….J.
(ARAVIND KUMAR)

…….………………………………….J.
(VIPUL M. PANCHOLI)

New Delhi;
October 16, 2026.

ITEM NO.5 COURT NO.10 SECTION II-B

RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

Petition(s) for Special Leave to Appeal (Crl.) No(s). 13390/2026
[Arising out of impugned final judgment and order dated 21-05-2026 in CRMM No. 16006/2026 passed by the High Court of Punjab & Haryana at Chandigarh]

VIKRAM Petitioner(s)
VERSUS
STATE OF HARYANA Respondent(s)

IA No. 213025/2026 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING C/C OF THE IMPUGNED JUDGMENT; IA No. 213026/2026 - EXEMPTION FROM FILING O.T.; IA No. 303309/2026 and IA No. 213027/2026 - PERMISSION TO FILE ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS/FACTS/ANNEXURES

Date : 16-10-2026 This matter was called on for hearing today.

CORAM : HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE ARAVIND KUMAR
HON'BLE MR. JUSTICE VIPUL M. PANCHOLI

For Petitioner(s) : Mr. K. Parameshwar, Sr. Adv. Mr. Amit Sangwan, Adv. Mr. Divyesh Pratap Singh- 2543, AOR Mr. N. Sai Kaushal, Adv. Mr. Adit Garg, Adv. Mr. Prasad Hegde, Adv. Ms. Vallari Kn, Adv. Mr. Jainendra Kumar Rai, Adv. For Respondent(s) : Mr. Anurag Kulharia- 4427, AOR Mr. Gyaaneshwar Joshi, Adv.

UPON hearing the counsel the Court made the following ORDER: Heard. Leave granted. The criminal appeal is allowed in terms of the signed order which is placed on the file. Pending application(s), if any, shall stand disposed of.