New Delhi: A Delhi court has acquitted a man and his parents in a dowry death case, observing that the prosecution has failed to prove allegations of cruelty or dowry harassment against them.Additional Sessions Judge Deepak Vasan acquitted Kartik Sharma, his father Ravi Dutt Sharma and his mother Veena Sharma in the death of Shivali Sharma, who died by suicide in March 2023.According to news agency PTI, the accused were being tried under IPC sections 498A (cruelty by husband or relatives) and 304B (dowry death).In its April 1 order, the court said, “There is nothing on record to establish the culpability of the accused persons for the offenses charged against them. The prosecution has failed to prove the charges beyond reasonable doubt.”Noting that the death was unnatural and occurred within seven years of marriage, the court held that the essential elements of dowry death – particularly evidence of harassment linked to dowry demands – had not been established.According to the prosecution, the deceased’s family had alleged that she was harassed and made repeated demands for dowry including cash and a vehicle, due to which she allegedly took the extreme step.The FIR was lodged before an executive magistrate based on the statements given by her parents.However, during the trial, key prosecution witnesses – including the deceased’s mother, father, brother, uncle and grandmother – did not support these allegations in court.He said Shivali was living a “peaceful and happy” married life and denied any dowry demand or harassment by the accused.Witnesses also attributed her death to depression resulting from her child’s serious medical condition.The court said that the testimony of the next of kin, who are considered the most important witnesses, did not indicate any cruelty or dowry-related harassment “immediately before her death”, which is a crucial requirement to establish the offense under section 304B of the IPC.Medical evidence confirmed that the cause of death was asphyxiation due to hanging.Giving the benefit of doubt, the court said that in the absence of strong evidence of cruelty, it was not enough to convict the accused.