The Karnataka High Court has ruled that a husband suggesting his wife pursue further education and seek employment does not amount to cruelty. This decision came from a single-judge bench led by Justice Dr. HB Prabhakara Sastry.
The case involved Dr. Shashidhar Subbanna and his mother, who were convicted by a trial court under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. They challenged the conviction in a revision petition, which the court accepted, overturning the earlier decision.
The complainant, who lived in the US with her husband, claimed that he urged her to continue her studies and find a job to help manage family expenses. The court found that advising a spouse to gain more knowledge and pursue higher studies could not be considered cruelty.
The court also noted that both the complainant and her husband had discussed her future education and employment before marriage. Therefore, the husband’s request was not unexpected or unreasonable.
Additionally, the complainant alleged that her husband had said they should wait three years before having a child and that his family pressured her about it. The court found that discussing family planning is a normal part of married life and does not constitute cruelty.
The complainant also claimed that her husband demanded dowry, including ₹50,000 in cash and other items. However, the court noted that there was no substantial evidence to support these claims and that the exchange of valuables was customary in their community.
The court observed that the complainant did not provide sufficient evidence to prove any dowry demands and noted that the income of the accused was substantial. Due to the lack of corroborative evidence and weak oral testimonies, the court acquitted the accused.
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