Andhra Pradesh High Court: Advising Daughter-in-Law on Household Work Is Not Cruelty
A bench led by Justice Dr. VRK Krupa Sagar of the Andhra Pradesh High Court recently overturned a conviction under Section 304B IPC (Dowry Death). The case involved a mother and son who were sentenced to ten years of rigorous imprisonment after being accused of subjecting the deceased woman (daughter-in-law) to cruelty.
Allegations of Dowry Harassment
The complainants, parents of the deceased, alleged that their daughter was mistreated within eight months of her marriage. They claimed that the husband and mother-in-law frequently compared her wedding to that of her sister and insisted she improve her household work.
Court’s Observations on Family Life
The court found no substantial evidence to prove the accused were guilty of dowry harassment. The bench stated that providing feedback on household chores is common in family life and does not necessarily constitute cruelty.
“A praise or a comment with reference to the works that were being done is a common factor in any household. It is no one’s case that she was either abused or physically beaten for her imperfections in doing household works,” the court noted.
Additionally, the court pointed out that the deceased woman never reported any issues to nearby relatives or sought refuge at her parental home, which suggested she led a normal family life.
Court’s Final Verdict
The bench ruled that comparing marriage celebrations or advising a newly married woman to be more efficient in household work does not constitute dowry-related cruelty under Section 304B IPC. The accused were acquitted due to insufficient evidence.
This ruling reinforces the importance of distinguishing between normal household interactions and legal definitions of cruelty under dowry laws.
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