The Supreme Court held that financial control by a husband is a social reality and does not amount to criminal cruelty without proven mental or physical harm. Quashing a Section 498A case, the Court said criminal law cannot be used to settle personal vendettas.
Supreme Court clarified that any property or valuable security given at or after marriage amounts to dowry, while distinguishing Islamic ‘mehr’. The Court restored convictions and issued pan-India directions to strengthen enforcement, awareness, and disposal of such cases.
The Supreme Court said anti-dowry laws suffer from both poor enforcement and misuse, allowing the social evil to continue unchecked. Calling dowry eradication a constitutional necessity, the court issued strict directions for faster trials and stronger awareness measures.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that the law against marital cruelty also applies to live-in relationships. It clarified that the term ‘husband’ under Section 498A of the IPC includes partners in relationships with marital traits.
A 28-year-old woman, Nikki, was set on fire by her husband and in-laws in Greater Noida over rising dowry demands. Her child’s viral video saying “Papa killed Mummy by burning her with a lighter” has sparked outrage and calls for strict action.
Vipanchika Maniyan’s family has approached the Kerala High Court demanding diplomatic action with UAE for a fair probe into her and her toddler’s suspicious deaths. A suicide note and forensic report point to possible foul play and dowry harassment.
Today, On 2nd July, The Supreme Court suspended the trial court’s 10-year sentence given to Kiran Kumar in the dowry-related death of his wife, Vismaya. The 24-year-old Ayurveda student was found hanging in her husband’s house in 2021.
The Supreme Court of India quashed a dowry harassment case due to vague accusations against the husband’s family. The bench criticized the trend of naming multiple relatives without clear evidence and emphasized that strong, specific allegations are essential. This judgment reflects the court’s stance against the misuse of dowry laws.
A photographer in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, died by suicide, leaving a note alleging dowry law misuse. His wife and three of her family members have been charged with abetment. The incident created concerns over the alleged misuse of dowry laws. Police are investigating the case further.
The Supreme Court of India ruled against a woman’s misuse of legal protections intended for domestic violence victims, quashing her FIR under Section 498A, which lacked specific evidence. The judgment highlighted the need for courts to scrutinize such cases, aiming to protect innocent family members and prevent retaliatory legal actions during divorce proceedings.
