After a tortuous stay in my father in law's place in Salem District (Tamil Nadu), I lodged a 4 page long complaint with the All Women Police Station in that area against my husband and father in law, three and half months ago. The police, after initial enquiries, appeared satisfied with my version. They felt that my petition was lengthy and told me that the petition must be short and brief. Accordingly they dictated to me a fresh petition covering only one or two points. This was certainly brief but many allegations had been omitted. When questioned, the Police Official said that - a) the courts do not want lengthy stories b) in the court both the complainant (me) and the Investigating Officer must be able to repeat verbatim the charges and testify and c) a short petition stands firmly against the defence lawyer during cross examination etc. I felt that they must be right and reluctantly said ok. An FIR under Section 498 A was filed against my husband and father in law.
After reaching my parents' house at Chennai, I came to know that somehow my husband and father in law had managed to avoid getting arrested and had obtained Anticipatory Bail. I suspected some police help in this matter. I was told that a charge sheet would be filed in the Magistrate Court within 90 days.
Now even after 105 days there is no word either from the All Women Police Station or the Judicial Magistrate Court of that area. I stay in Chennai - almost 400 kilometres away from that place. My telephone enquiries to the Police Station do not elicit satisfactory replies.
I have the following doubts:
1) My husband and father in law must have influenced the local police to dilute the complaint/FIR.
2) They have managed to get Anticipatory Bail possibly by bribing the police/court officials.
3) They are using their influence to delay filing of charge sheet.
4) Is it possible to strengthen the old FIR or file an additional one?
A local lawyer advised me to file a petition requesting "direction" with the Madras High Court and the lower court in Salem District has to necessarily instruct the local police station to file a charge sheet. Is this so?
Please inform me of your views in the matter.
Thanks and regards, trueme.