The Supreme Court Today (Jan 24) sharply criticized a man convicted under Section 498A IPC for torturing his wife over dowry and neglecting his daughters. Justice Surya Kant questioned his character, saying, “What kind of a man you are if you don’t even care for your daughters?” The Court offered relief only if he agreed to transfer agricultural land to his daughters. Convicted in 2015, his sentence was partially reduced in 2024, but the case continues to highlight serious issues of cruelty and neglect.
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NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court of India, on Friday, strongly criticized a plea filed by a man convicted in 2015 under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) for torturing his wife over a dowry demand. The court expressed serious concerns over his actions and lack of responsibility towards his daughters.
The Bench, led by Justice Surya Kant and Justice N Kotiswar Singh, was particularly vocal about the man’s behavior.
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The Justices questioned his character and responsibilities, saying,
“What kind of a man you are if you don’t even care for your daughters? How can we allow such a cruel man to enter our court at all! Sara din Ghar pe kabhi Saraswati Puja and kabhi Laxmi Puja. Aur fir yeh sab.”
The Supreme Court highlighted that it could only consider granting any relief to the petitioner if he agreed to transfer a portion of his agricultural land to his daughters. Justice Kant remarked,
“If he says he will transfer the agricultural land to his daughters, then we will pass some favourable order.”
The petitioner, Yogeshwar Sao, had been convicted in 2015 and sentenced to two and a half years of imprisonment for a case dating back to 2009. According to the trial court, Sao was found guilty of torturing his wife, demanding Rs 50,000 as dowry. The couple had married in 2003 and had two daughters.
Additional allegations against Sao included forcing his wife to undergo a uterus removal procedure and marrying another woman. However, in 2016, the Jharkhand High Court suspended his sentence after he had served 11 months in custody.
Later, in September 2024, the High Court upheld his conviction but found no evidence supporting the claims about the forced medical procedure or the second marriage.
In partial relief to the petitioner, the High Court reduced his sentence to one and a half years and imposed a fine of Rs 1 lakh. Dissatisfied, the man moved the Supreme Court in December 2024, seeking further relief.
The case highlights the court’s firm stance against cruelty towards women and the neglect of familial responsibilities, especially towards children.
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