The Supreme Court of India acquitted a man after 20 years in a dowry harassment case, finding the wife’s vague allegations unsupported by evidence. Justices Nagarathna and Sharma criticized the misuse of laws like Section 498A IPC, emphasizing the need for specific details in such complaints to avoid unjust legal abuse.
The Andhra Pradesh High Court ruled that taunts about not conceiving do not constitute cruelty under Section 498A IPC. The court quashed charges against the sister-in-laws due to insufficient allegations, stating that vague accusations without specific details cannot sustain legal proceedings. This judgment emphasizes careful scrutiny of family-related complaints.
Today, On 7th February, The Supreme Court ruled that relatives of an accused cannot be implicated in domestic violence cases under Section 498A simply for not assisting the victim. The Court emphasized that complaints and charges must be specific against each accused family member. It stated that vague or general allegations are not sufficient for prosecution. This decision aims to prevent misuse of the law and ensure fairness in such cases.
After almost a decade of hard work and waiting (9 years and 10 months to be exact), a man achieved a state government job with a merit rank of 68. However, despite his efforts and success, the state government refused to issue him an appointment letter. The reason? His wife had filed a 498A case against him two years earlier. In 2013, the husband passed a merit-based exam when there were no criminal cases against him. However, for reasons unknown, the state government delayed his recruitment process for nearly 9 years.
The Allahabad High Court observed that a wife’s consumption of alcohol does not amount to cruelty towards her husband unless accompanied by other serious issues. The case involved a husband’s divorce plea citing his wife’s outings with friends and alcohol consumption without informing him. The court evaluated whether these claims constituted valid grounds for divorce.
The Bombay High Court ruled that a wife’s false 498A complaint against her husband to “correct his behavior” constitutes cruelty under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. Upholding the family court’s divorce decision, the Court emphasized that such actions erode trust and harmony, making the marriage unsustainable. The wife admitted to misusing legal proceedings, which led to the marriage’s dissolution.
The Gujarat High Court issued a notice to a woman who obtained a divorce on grounds of cruelty after learning her husband’s sister married outside their caste. The husband has challenged the family court’s decision, arguing it was unjust. The high court has scheduled a joint hearing for the matter on January 20, aiming to address the dispute comprehensively.
