The Punjab & Haryana High Court has imposed a fine of 1 lakh on a woman for filing false cruelty charges against her 100% disabled in-laws. This decision came after the court reviewed an FIR from May 2017, where the woman accused her in-laws of subjecting her to cruelty under Section 498-A of the IPC in Jhajjar district.
Justice Gupta noted that the allegations against the father-in-law included claims that he “runs to beat” the complainant and “hits her with a stick.” However, medical evidence showed that the father-in-law could only walk with crutches, making such actions impossible. Similarly, the mother-in-law’s medical certificate revealed she was wheelchair-bound with completely non-functional lower limbs. The complainant’s claim that her mother-in-law dragged her by the hair and slapped her was deemed blatantly untrue by the court.
Justice Gupta’s detailed order highlighted that the case was “manifestly frivolous, vexatious, and ill-intended.” The in-laws, both severely disabled, were unable to perform daily tasks, let alone abuse the complainant. The court concluded that the complainant had inflicted torture and abuse upon her in-laws instead.
Emphasizing the importance of law and its processes, Justice Gupta condemned the misuse of legal provisions for personal vendettas. She described the FIR as a gross abuse of the legal process and ordered the complainant to pay 1 lakh as a punitive and deterrent measure. The amount is to be deposited with the illaqa magistrate/trial court within four months and disbursed equally to the in-laws. Failure to comply will result in further legal action.
Justice Gupta’s decision serves as a warning against the exploitation of legal processes and underscores the court’s commitment to justice and fairness.
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