Bombay HC Allows Man Facing Dowry Harassment Charges To Travel To US To Resume Job

The Bombay High Court has allowed a man, accused in a dowry harassment case, to travel to the United States to resume his job, after he and his estranged wife reached a mutually acceptable arrangement in court.

Vacation judge, Justice Ashwin Bhobe, passed the order, while hearing an appeal by the man challenging the May 14 order of the sessions court at Pandharpur rejecting his application to travel abroad. 

An FIR has been registered by the Sangola police against the man under various sections of the Indian Penal Code including for dowry harassment. 

The man’s advocate informed the HC that he has been in India since April 20, 2024, and is employed with a company in the USA. He has now been called back to resume duties from June 2, 2025, and intends to travel on May 31. His absence from work may cost him his job, his plea contended. 

The Sessions Court had earlier denied permission, observing that the petitioner’s departure might hamper the investigation and the mediation proceedings ongoing between the parties as directed by the High Court. However, during the hearing on May 30, both sides agreed to a set of conditions that would allow the man to travel without obstructing the legal process.

The estranged couple submitted a ‘Conditions for Considerations’, wherein wass agreed that the petitioner will hand over all original documents and certificates of the respondent, along with her electronic data stored on his devices, within six weeks. He also undertook to participate in the trial, either in person or via video conferencing, and raised no objection to his statement being recorded in his absence, through his lawyer.

The HC directed the petitioner to file an undertaking before the trial court, provide his US residential address and contact details, and comply with all future directions.

“In view of the above settlement… the impugned order dated May 14, 2025… is set aside,” the court said, permitting the petitioner to travel to the US, subject to strict adherence to the agreed terms.