JAIPUR: A court has named the mother of an IRS officer accused in a dowry harassment case as a co-accused, bringing her back into proceedings after the complainant alleged that her name had earlier been removed during the police investigation. Following the order, Kavita, the mother of Income Tax Department Assistant Commissioner Chirag Jhirwal, who is posted in Ahmedabad, will now face trial for dowry harassment. The complainant, Purva Bagdi of Jaipur, said she had been subjected to harassment since the day of her marriage nearly four years ago.
Dowry Demand Allegedly Began During Engagement
According to Purva Bagdi, the dowry demands began at the time of her engagement to Chirag Jhirwal in December 2022. She alleged that the groom’s family sought Rs 1 crore in cash, a luxury SUV such as a Toyota Fortuner or Volvo SUV, and an engagement ceremony at a luxury venue like Rambagh Palace.
Purva said her family had modest financial means but took loans because of social pressure. She alleged that during the engagement, her family gave Rs 5 lakh in cash, a diamond ring and other expensive gifts. She further claimed that the demands increased before the wedding.
The wedding, she said, took place at a luxury resort on Ajmer Road in Jaipur, where her family handed over an additional Rs 7 lakh in cash. She alleged that on the wedding night, the groom’s family threatened to stop the bride’s farewell ceremony unless further dowry commitments were made, and that her family agreed under pressure.
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Harassment Allegations and Criminal Case
After marriage, Purva moved to Ahmedabad with her husband. She alleged that mental and emotional harassment continued there and said that when she opposed the dowry demands, Chirag assaulted her. Unable to tolerate the situation, she returned to her parents’ home in Jaipur.
In 2024, she filed a complaint at Chitrakoot Police Station under sections related to dowry harassment and assault. Police conducted her medical examination and recorded statements of her family members. Notices were also issued to the accused for questioning.
According to Purva’s lawyer Chandrashekhar, the case was presented before the Special Judge (Communal Rioting Cases), Jaipur Metropolitan-II court under IPC Section 498-A, dealing with cruelty by husband or relatives, and IPC Section 406, relating to criminal breach of trust.
Purva alleged that both her husband and mother-in-law were initially named as accused during the police investigation. She claimed, however, that her husband used his influence to have the case file transferred to the DGP office, after which the investigation moved through senior police officials and her mother-in-law’s name was removed from the case.
Court Restores Mother-in-Law as Accused
The report set out a timeline beginning with a complaint filed on July 2, 2024, at Women Police Station Jaipur West against Chirag Jhirwal, mother Kavita, also referred to as Kamla, father Mahesh Chandra and brother Mohit. The complaint related to allegations of dowry harassment, assault, abuse, abetment of suicide and misappropriation of stridhan.
An FIR was registered on July 16, 2024. The record states that while investigating, SHO Manju Chaudhary found the allegations against Chirag and Kavita substantiated. On February 1, 2025, ACP Pushpendra Singh Solanki prepared a chargesheet confirming evidence against both Chirag and Kavita. But on February 5, 2025, when the chargesheet was to be filed in court, Purva alleged that the accused used influence to stop its submission and got the investigation transferred to the DGP office.
She further alleged that the matter was reviewed again by DCP Jaipur West and later by ADCP Sulesh Chaudhary. During that review, statements were re-recorded but not shared with her, and the earlier findings against her mother-in-law were reversed, leaving only Chirag as an accused at that stage.
The court has now rejected that conclusion and held that there is sufficient material to proceed against Kavita as well. It has directed her to appear on July 8, 2026. In its order, the court also raised concerns about the investigation process, observing that the investigating officer appeared to have conducted the probe without properly evaluating evidence. ADCP Sulesh Chaudhary, however, said the investigation was completed on the basis of available evidence and denied any bias.
The complaints also state that Chirag Jhirwal was granted bail in June last year on a personal bond of Rs 40,000. The court had directed him to cooperate with the investigation and not contact the complainant
