OBSERVING that a woman should not always be blamed for being unable to conceive as sometimes, the man himself may not be in a condition to have a child, the Allahabad High Court has directed that a potency test be done on a man booked by the Hathras Police in connection with his wife’s death, allegedly by suicide. The court was hearing the bail application of Moni alias Monu, the accused and husband of the deceased, during which his lawyer argued that the victim died by suicide due to depression as she had been unable to conceive. The court told the government counsel that a potency test of the accused should be conducted within 10 days and the report submitted to the court, scheduling the next hearing for November 12. The court observed in its order that such cases frequently come up and the counsel say that the victim was unable to conceive and took the extreme step, whereas sometimes the man himself is not in a condition to have a child. According to Monu's lawyer, Satyendra Yadav, the case dates back to February 26 this year, when Monu's wife's cousin registered an FIR against him (Monu) and seven of his family members. The complainant alleged that the woman died by suicide due to “harassment” by the accused for dowry. A case was registered at Garh Mukteshwar police station in Hapur district under IPC sections 498-A (cruelty by husband or relatives) and 304-B (dowry death), among other charges. Yadav added, “The police launched an investigation and filed a chargesheet against five persons, including Monu. All the other accused, except Monu, were released on bail.”
