Husband’s friend not a ‘relative’ under Section 498-A IPC: Bombay High Court
The husband’s friend tried to convince him that if his demands are not fulfilled then he shall not cohabit with his wife and shall send her to her paternal home.
Section 498-A IPC
‘Taunts for dark complexion not grave enough to prove cruelty or abetment to suicide under IPC’; Bombay HC acquits husband
“Every dispute, quarrel or altercation arising from the matrimonial life are not criminal offence. It will take colour of Criminal law only when there are no alternatives for the wife but to put an end to her life, because of the harassment.”
‘Conviction under S 498-A IPC would be unjustified if cruelty is not proven’; Kerala High Court acquits all accused
“In cases of domestic violence, it is not prudent to look for independent corroboration for the evidence of a victim, particularly when the incidents of domestic violence including ill-treatments and harassments often occur within the confines of a house.”
‘Classic case of misuse of S.498-A IPC’; Bombay HC quashes dowry harassment case, highlights improper police investigation
“The Court observed that the police does not take proper precautions and appropriate investigation when it came to offences under Section 498-A IPC and called their attitude of proceeding with investigation with presumptions/prejudicial mind, ‘dangerous’.”
Supreme Court June 2025: Latest Stories & Judgments on Investigating Agencies’ authority to summon Lawyers; Andhra Pradesh liquor scam; Howrah Court assault; and more
Stay informed with the latest Supreme Court judgments from June 2025, covering critical topics such as Investigating Agencies’ authority to summon Lawyers; Rs. 21 Crore MSP fraud case; Andhra Pradesh liquor scam case; Howrah Court assault case. Explore the key rulings shaping the legal landscape.
“It’s wife’s tendency to implicate husband and his family members to settle personal scores”: Bombay HC Quashes Dowry Harassment FIR against In-Laws
Only out of ulterior motive to settle personal score, wife makes generalized and sweeping accusation unsupported by concrete evidence. As a result, the family members of husband have to face agony of criminal trial, when no prima facie case is made out against them.
‘Mere possibility of contrary view doesn’t justify reversal of acquittal’; Rajasthan High Court upholds acquittal in Dowry Death case
“Scope of interference in the acquittal order passed by the Trial Court is very limited, and if the impugned judgment of the Trial Court demonstrates a legally plausible view, mere possibility of a contrary view shall not justify the reversal of acquittal.”
Bombay High Court permits husband accused under Section 498-A IPC to travel to USA to resume his job
The petitioner-husband and Respondent 2-wife agreed to some conditions, including that the petitioner must hand over all documents and certificates belonging to Respondent 2, currently at his residence in India and in the USA, to Respondent 2.
Forced Unnatural Sex not punishable under S. 377 IPC, but attracts S. 498-A if coupled with cruelty/assault: MP High Court
Cruelty under Section 498-A IPC does not necessarily require proof of dowry demands; physical or mental cruelty alone is sufficient.
Supreme Court Roundup April 2025 | Stories on Manual Scavenging; Modification of Arbitral Award; Child Trafficking; and Appointment of Justice B.R. Gavai as 52nd CJI
This comprehensive roundup brings together the Court’s most impactful rulings and judicial developments from the month.
‘For every instance of misuse, there are hundreds of genuine cases’; SC dismisses petition seeking declaration regarding constitutionality of S. 498-A IPC
The Court opined that impugned provisions do not warrant judicial interference, because it is well-settled law that courts refrain from intervening in matters of legislative policy or mandate
Instigation, or common intention cannot be mere basis to prove cruelty under S.498-A IPC: Bombay HC
The allegations submitted by Respondent 2 cannot amount to cruelty under Section 498-A of Penal Code, 1860 as each person shall act in his own way and the said act independently shall amount to cruelty.
Wife filing false case under S.498-A IPC to correct husband’s behaviour amounts to cruelty: Bombay HC
Once the mind of a spouse is corrupted to resort to a false prosecution against a spouse, it is certain that the spouse has lost all reasonableness and rationality to maintain solemnity of the marriage.
‘Husband’s inability to cohabit is a condition known to him and does not travel beyond home’; Bombay HC quashes FIR against husband’s relatives
The Court stated that Applicants 5 to 8, being maternal uncles and their wives, are only instrumental in introducing Applicant 1’a marriage proposal to the complainant and it cannot be said that they knew about his condition.
‘Police personnel strangulating pregnant wife not exceptionally brutal/violent’; Bombay HC holds husband eligible for remission
No separate category is carved out as an exception to the normal Rules of remission provided under Section 4321 of the Criminal Procedure Code, 1973 for a Police personnel committing heinous crime of murdering his pregnant wife.
‘Making wife sleep on carpet not cruelty’; Bombay HC sets aside conviction u/s 306 IPC against husband and in-laws
To apply Section 3061 of the Penal Code, 1860, it is expected of prosecution to demonstrate that there is live link/active role played by appellant in instigating the suicide.
‘Restoration of conjugal life’ cannot be imposed as a condition for anticipatory bail u/s 498-A of IPC: Patna High Court
“By way of judicial proceeding, an offence under Section 498-A of the Penal Code, 1860 can be compounded, but in the statute the offence has been made non-compoundable.”
Non-consummation of marriage due to husband’s spiritual inclinations is cruelty under Hindu Marriage Act and not S. 498-A of IPC: Karnataka High Court
Noting the husband’s interest in watching videos by Sisters of Brahmakumari, which eventually led to non-consummation of his marriage, the Court was of the view that this situation does not fall under the scheme of S. 498-A, IPC.
Proceedings under S. 498-A IPC cannot be quashed simply because it was filed after receipt of divorce notice: Karnataka High Court
It was stated that decision of the co-ordinate Bench of the High Court in Naresh Gundyal v. State on same issue, defeats the very object of S. 498-A, IPC and Domestic Violence Act, 2005.