In Brief
The appellant, married to the respondent's daughter, was initially charged with harassment under Sections 498A of the IPC and dowry-related provisions after an FIR. During investigation, evidence emerged that the appellant had demanded Rs 5,00,000 to secure a doctor's job in the UK, leading to an additional charge-sheet for criminal breach of trust (Section 406) and cheating (Section 420). The Trial Court initially rejected the addition of these charges, but the High Court overturned this decision. The Supreme Court upheld the High Court, holding that at the charge-framing stage, courts need only establish prima facie material supporting the offence's ingredients, not prove guilt. Witness statements indicating the demand and non-return of money sufficed to justify adding the charges, and the credibility of witnesses is for trial, not charge stage.
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