{"id":395776,"date":"2026-09-09T17:00:25","date_gmt":"2026-09-09T11:30:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/?p=395776"},"modified":"2026-09-11T13:07:59","modified_gmt":"2026-09-11T07:37:59","slug":"calcutta-hc-section-498a-ipc-relationship-in-nature-of-marriage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/09\/09\/calcutta-hc-section-498a-ipc-relationship-in-nature-of-marriage\/","title":{"rendered":"Calcutta HC: Section 498-A IPC prosecution maintainable in relationships in the nature of marriage, where formal marriage is absent"},"content":{"rendered":"<div style=\"text-align: justify; line-height: 150%;\">\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">Calcutta High Court:<\/span> In a petition filed under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">Criminal Procedure Code, 1973<\/a> (CrPC) seeking to quash a case under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\">498-A<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561758\" target=\"_blank\">420<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561717\" target=\"_blank\">384<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">Penal Code, 1860<\/a> (IPC), along with charge-sheet dated 28 August 2022currently pending before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Uday Kumar, J. dismissed the petition being devoid of merits.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The case originated from a complaint filed by the complainant before the Chief Judicial Magistrate, Purba Bardhaman, which was referred to the police under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519391\" target=\"_blank\">156(3)<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">CrPC<\/a>, resulting in FIR alleging that after meeting the petitioner in 2019, he falsely represented himself as an unmarried orphan, entered into a relationship with her, persuaded her to convert to Islam, and solemnised a registered Muslim marriage with her on 2 July 2020. They allegedly lived together as husband and wife in a rented house until she discovered that the petitioner was already married and had a pregnant wife. She further alleged that, upon confronting him, she was subjected to physical and mental cruelty and was assaulted and driven out of the house on 1 May 2022.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">During investigation, the police inspected the place of occurrence and recorded witness statements, including that of the landlord, who confirmed that the parties had lived together as spouses and that a violent dispute had occurred on 1 May 2022. Although no formal proof of the Muslim marriage was produced, the investigating officer considered the evidence of cohabitation and witness accounts sufficient to establish a prima facie case. A charge-sheet was consequently filed under Sections <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561758\" target=\"_blank\">420<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\">498-A<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561717\" target=\"_blank\">384<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a>. Meanwhile, a matrimonial suit under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001543735\" target=\"_blank\">13-B<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726956\" target=\"_blank\">Hindu Marriage Act, 1955<\/a> was pending between the complainant and her previous husband. Thus, challenging the continuation of the criminal proceedings, the petitioner approached the High Court under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">CrPC<\/a>, arguing that the prosecution was an abuse of process because no valid marriage existed between him and the complainant.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">On the question whether an offence under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a> is legally maintainable in a relationship in the nature of marriage where a formal traditional marriage is absent or legally flawed<\/span>, the Court noted that the investigating agency collected substantive oral and documentary materials establishing a robust prima facie case of de facto cohabitation further fortified by the corroborative statements of the complainant&#8217;s parents recorded. The Court also noted that to hold that a petitioner who induces a woman into a domestic arrangement by concealing his true marital status, cohabits under the colour of a shared spouse, and subjects her to cruelty, can subsequently escape criminal liability by pointing to technical flaws in the marriage or his own bigamous conduct would be anathema to justice.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">Placing reliance on <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Lokesh B.H.<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of Karnataka<\/span>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-9003756925\" target=\"_blank\">2026 SCC OnLine SC 1470<\/a>, and <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Reema Aggrawal v. Anupam<\/span>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0000034538\" target=\"_blank\">(2004) 3 SCC 199<\/a>, the Court concluded that a formal, traditional marriage is not an indispensable prerequisite for the maintenance of a prosecution under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001561850\" target=\"_blank\">498-A<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726960\" target=\"_blank\">IPC<\/a> and the criminal proceeding is legally maintainable at the threshold stage.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Read more<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2026\/08\/04\/sc-section-498-a-ipc-extends-to-live-in-relationships\/\" target=\"_blank\">Not Married, But Still Protected: Supreme Court Extends Section 498-A IPC to Live-In Relationships<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">On the second question whether the inherent powers under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">CrPC<\/a>, ought to be invoked to quash the charge-sheet and criminal proceedings at the threshold stage<\/span>, the Court noted that this case involves disputed questions of fact, including whether the prior marriage was subsisting, whether the petitioner concealed his marital status, whether a valid conversion and marriage ceremony took place, and the nature of the parties&#8217; cohabitation, and such issues could not be conclusively determined in proceedings under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">CrPC<\/a> and required a full-fledged trial.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">The Court further noted that the investigation formed a prima facie case and led to the filing of the charge-sheet. Thus, the Court found no exceptional ground, manifest illegality or abuse of process warranting quashing of the proceedings, holding that the inherent powers under Section <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0001519791\" target=\"_blank\">482<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink.aspx?q=JTXT-0002726935\" target=\"_blank\">CrPC<\/a> cannot be exercised to decide disputed questions of fact at the threshold.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%; font-style: italic;\">Read more <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scconline.com\/blog\/post\/2025\/06\/30\/498-aipc-ipc498-a-supremecourtjudgments-supremecourt\/\" target=\"_blank\">Section 498-A IPC: A Double-Edged Sword &#8212; Protecting Dignity or Enabling Misuse? Supreme Court Rulings explored<\/a><\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">On the question of whether the judicial exposition and ratio decided by the Supreme Court in <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">Lokesh B.H.<\/span> (supra) apply retrospectively to acts committed prior to the pronouncement of the said judgment<\/span>, the Court held that judicial pronouncements clarifying the scope of a statutory provision do not create new law but explain its meaning as it has existed since enactment. Therefore, applying such interpretations to pending proceedings arising from prior acts does not amount to retrospective criminalisation, but merely ensures the correct application of the existing law.<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-bottom: 3%;\">[<span style=\"font-weight: bold; color: #632423;\"><span style=\"font-style: italic;\">SK Azharuddin<\/span> v. <span style=\"font-style: italic;\">State of W.B.<\/span>, <a href=\"http:\/\/www.scconline.com\/DocumentLink\/CUmT77WM\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">2026 SCC OnLine Cal 12953<\/a>, decided on 2-9-2026<\/span>]<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p>Advocates who appeared in this case:<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">For the petitioner:<\/span> Mr. N. S. Ghosh, Ms. Labani Sikder Mr. Souvik Dey<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">For the Opposite Party No. 2:<\/span> Mr. Amit Dey, Mr. Ankan Santra<\/p>\n<p style=\"margin-left: 18pt;\"><span style=\"font-weight: bold;\">For the State:<\/span> Mr. Gurudas Mitra, Mr. Utsav Dutta<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p style=\"font-style: italic;\">The present petition brings to the fore a classic contest between technical statutory defences and the lived realities of domestic cohabitation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":67516,"featured_media":395777,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,10],"tags":[114342,114340,114339,114346,114343,114344,114341,114345],"class_list":["post-395776","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-casebriefs","category-highcourts","tag-498a-ipc-relationship-in-nature-of-marriage","tag-calcutta-high-court-relationship-in-nature-of-marriage","tag-calcutta-high-court-section-498a","tag-cruelty-in-relationship-in-nature-of-marriage","tag-maintainability-of-section-498a-in-absence-of-formal-marriage","tag-section-498a-and-legally-flawed-marriage","tag-section-498a-ipc-prosecution-without-formal-marriage","tag-section-498a-prosecution-in-de-facto-marital-relationship"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - 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