In Brief
A husband facing charges of cruelty and dowry offences under IPC Section 498A and the Dowry Prohibition Act sought bail. The High Court granted provisional bail but imposed onerous conditions, including an affidavit undertaking to meet all the wife's physical and financial needs. The couple, having expressed willingness to reconcile and withdraw divorce proceedings, appealed. The Supreme Court held that such impracticable conditions violate the principle that law does not compel the impossible and are counter-productive to matrimonial restoration. It set aside the onerous condition while maintaining standard bail conditions regarding suretyship and statutory compliance.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.