State (Govt Of Nct Of Delhi) vs Aftab & Anr

ik-66215909 Delhi High Court 17 February 2026 • 37 min read

Judges (2)

Madhu Jain Delivered Prathiba M. Singh Coram

Counsel (9)

Aditi Shivadhatri Counsel Respondent Divya Yadav Counsel Appellant Hemant Jain Counsel Respondent Khushi Gupta Counsel Respondent Lalit Luthra Counsel Appellant R. K. Tarun Counsel Respondent Reyazul Haque Counsel Respondent Ritesh Kumar Bahri Counsel Appellant Subedita Rani Counsel Respondent

Parties (2)

State, Govt. of NCT of Delhi Appellant Aftab Respondent

Case Significance

State (Govt Of Nct Of Delhi) vs Aftab & Anr is a Delhi High Court decision dated February 17, 2026 (citation: ik-66215909). The State appealed the acquittal of two respondents under Sections 498-A and 304-B IPC in a dowry death case. The Division Bench held that the trial court's finding that prosecution failed to establish essential ingredients of dowry harassment and dowry death was a plausible and legally sustainable view, as testimony of collateral witnesses regarding the deceased's general character could not substitute for direct evidence of dowry demand. The appeal was dismissed and the acquittal was affirm The bench comprised Justices Madhu Jain and Prathiba M. Singh. The judgment was delivered by Justice Madhu Jain.

Summary

The State appealed the acquittal of two respondents under Sections 498-A and 304-B IPC in a dowry death case. The Division Bench held that the trial court's finding that prosecution failed to establish essential ingredients of dowry harassment and dowry death was a plausible and legally sustainable view, as testimony of collateral witnesses regarding the deceased's general character could not substitute for direct evidence of dowry demand. The appeal was dismissed and the acquittal was affirmed.

What was the outcome of State (Govt Of Nct Of Delhi) vs Aftab & Anr?

Judgment

Read the full judgment on the official India Courts portal.

Read on Indian Kanoon

Source: Indian Kanoon (ik-66215909)