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 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 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.
The Bombay High Court held that vague allegations of money demand without specific proof do not amount to harassment. The Court quashed the FIR against the husband and his family.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ruled that a wife calling her husband ‘Hijda’ amounts to mental cruelty. Dismissing the wife’s appeal, the court upheld the divorce, noting the couple had lived apart for six years and the marriage was beyond repair.
The Supreme Court has ruled that divorce under the Hindu Marriage Act can be granted if a conjugal rights order is not followed for one year. Granting divorce after 16 years of separation, the court directed the husband to pay ₹30 lakh as one-time alimony.
The Allahabad High Court has urged the government to create a law for compensating innocent persons wrongfully prosecuted. Acquitting a man jailed for 13 years in a false murder case, the court said that trial judges sometimes convict innocents to protect their careers, violating Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution.
The Gujarat High Court quashed a 2019 FIR, observing that women often exaggerate dowry allegations to make domestic violence cases appear more serious and to pressure husbands and in-laws.
