The Delhi High Court quashed an FIR against distant relatives in a dowry case, ruling that a mere demand of dowry without evidence of cruelty is not an offence under Section 498A IPC. The Court cautioned, however, that genuine dowry harassment remains a serious offence.
The Madhya Pradesh High Court quashed a rape case against a man, ruling that a married woman cannot claim her consent was taken on a false promise of marriage. The Court held the relationship was consensual and did not amount to rape under IPC.
The Orissa High Court held that the assumption that women engage in intimacy only to marry is patriarchal. Questioning the criminalisation of sex on false promise of marriage, the Court stressed sexual autonomy and affirmed that a woman’s body and choices are hers alone to define.
The Supreme Court has held that a woman can claim maintenance from her second husband even if her first marriage was not legally dissolved. The Court emphasized that Section 125 CrPC is a welfare law aimed at preventing destitution and restored the Family Court’s order granting maintenance.
The Calcutta High Court ruled that asking an educated, earning wife to share household expenses or pay EMIs for joint property is not cruelty under Section 498A IPC. The Court quashed the criminal case against a husband and his father, stressing that normal financial expectations in marriage cannot be treated as harassment.
The Bombay High Court held that a breakup or refusal to marry cannot be treated as abetment of suicide, stressing that Section 306 IPC requires clear proof of instigation. The Court discharged the accused, ruling that the woman’s death was not directly linked to the end of the relationship.
The Delhi High Court denied bail to a woman accused of pouring boiling water with chilli powder on her husband, ruling that men also deserve the same protection from violence as women. The Court stressed that justice must remain gender-neutral and cruelty should be punished regardless of gender.
The Karnataka High Court rejected a wife’s plea to transfer her divorce case, ruling that the husband’s difficulties in caring for their children outweigh her inconvenience. The Court highlighted the importance of gender equality and stressed that true equality means fair treatment for both men and women.
The Supreme Court ruled that a husband remains the legal father of a child born during marriage, even if the wife claims adultery. It upheld the presumption of legitimacy under Section 112 of the Evidence Act.
The Karnataka High Court ruled that a wife cannot face extortion charges for seeking or receiving maintenance granted by a court and quashed both husband and wife’s complaints.
