The Madras High Court held that Section 498A proceedings cannot be initiated merely because a marriage has broken down or because the accused are related to the spouses involved in the dispute. Quashing proceedings against the husband’s relatives, the Court said vague and omnibus allegations cannot be used to drag family members into matrimonial disputes.
The Kerala High Court reduced the sentence of a husband convicted under Section 498A IPC, holding that matrimonial cruelty is a continuing offence and delay in filing a complaint does not automatically weaken the credibility of dowry harassment allegations.
“The Patna High Court quashed proceedings against the husband’s relatives, holding that a cruelty case under Section 85 BNS cannot stand when the marriage is void due to a previous marriage. Ruled second marriage without divorce is invalid.”
Karnataka High Court has quashed a cruelty case against a woman, ruling that she cannot be prosecuted under Section 498A IPC. The Court clarified that a neighbour or outsider cannot be held liable for matrimonial cruelty allegations.
Actress Hansika Motwani and her mother have approached the Bombay High Court seeking to cancel a cruelty case filed by her sister-in-law. They claim the FIR is out of malice after demanding repayment of a Rs 27 lakh wedding loan.
