Misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) took center stage in a contentious ruling by the Supreme Court of India in X v. Telangana State and Another (2024 INSC 953), delivered at the year’s end. The judgment sparked debate with its observations, suggesting that some wives exploit this provision as a tool for personal vendetta against their husbands and their families.
Union Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal confirmed a review of BNS Sections 85 and 86, which replicate the repealed IPC Section 498A, due to concerns about misuse and inadequate safeguards for men. This is the first review of the new Indian criminal codes, aimed at preventing frivolous complaints while protecting women from domestic violence.
