The Chhattisgarh High Court recently ruled that false accusations under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against a husband and his family constitute mental cruelty. The court made this observation while granting a divorce decree to the husband, whose plea had earlier been dismissed by the Family Court.
Case Background
A bench comprising Justices Goutam Bhaduri and Rajani Dubey was hearing a case where the wife filed an FIR under Section 498-A IPC, alleging cruelty and dowry demands of ₹1 lakh. She also accused the husband of having illicit relationships. The allegations extended to his elderly parents and family members, all of whom were later acquitted.
The husband argued that the accusations were baseless and damaged his social reputation. After the Family Court dismissed his divorce plea, he approached the High Court.
Court Observations
The High Court found that the wife had falsely implicated her husband and his family members, which adversely affected their social standing. The bench noted:
“False accusations lead to the social isolation of individuals facing criminal trials, damaging their reputation and future prospects. Such actions amount to cruelty.”
The court emphasized the importance of considering social status, education, and societal context before making serious allegations.
Impact on Professional Life
The appellant, a doctor, faced significant professional and social repercussions due to the false accusations. The court remarked that using Section 498-A as a weapon to settle personal scores could harm the future prospects of young professionals, causing prolonged damage.
Court Decision
The High Court concluded that the wife’s actions inflicted mental pain and suffering on the husband, making it impossible for the couple to continue their marital relationship. The court granted the husband a divorce decree while directing him to pay ₹15,000 per month as alimony to the wife.
Final Remarks
The judgment underscores the importance of ensuring that laws meant for protection are not misused. False allegations not only harm individuals but also undermine the credibility of genuine cases, the court noted.
Be a part our social media community:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/IndianMan.in?mibextid=ZbWKwL
Instagram:
https://www.instagram.com/indianman.in?igsh=MWZ2N3N0ZmpwM3l3cw==
