In Brief
A mother-in-law accused of her daughter-in-law's death by alleged poisoning sought anticipatory bail after evading arrest for over two years. The High Court granted the bail, relying on her cooperation with investigation and parity with a co-accused who had received anticipatory bail from the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court set aside this order, holding that grave offences like dowry death warrant denying such relief to accused who abscond without justification. The Court emphasized that preliminary investigation stage requires investigative freedom, that cooperation obtained only after securing interim protection is not genuine, and that material factual differences preclude parity arguments. The Respondent was directed to surrender within one week.
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