The Bombay High Court Nagpur Bench quashed a Section 498-A IPC case, with Justice Pravin Patil citing vague cruelty allegations and warning against misuse of matrimonial prosecutions as coercive tactics in marital disputes.
The Calcutta High Court’s Port Blair circuit bench set aside the discharge of a woman’s in-laws in a dowry harassment case, stressing that society still struggles with gender equality. The woman had died by suicide in 2021 after killing her infant daughter.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court has held that forced unnatural sex by a husband amounts to cruelty under Section 498A IPC, but it cannot be treated as rape under Section 376 or unnatural offence under Section 377 IPC.
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.
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.
The Bombay High Court has ruled that taunting a wife for her dark complexion does not amount to cruelty under Section 498A of the IPC. The Court clarified such remarks alone cannot attract criminal liability.
Supreme Court mandates a 2-month cooling-off period before any arrest under Section 498A IPC. Approves Allahabad HC’s safeguards to curb misuse in matrimonial disputes.
