Path: Home » NEWS against MEN » 498A/ Domestic Violence » Karnataka High Court Acquits US-Based Doctor and Mother Over Vague Complaints

Karnataka High Court Acquits US-Based Doctor and Mother Over Vague Complaints

Karnataka High Court Acquits US-Based Doctor and His Mother

The Karnataka High Court has acquitted a US-based doctor and his 77-year-old mother in a case of alleged harassment, observing that the complainant, the wife, had magnified minor family issues into serious allegations.

Background of the Case

The wife claimed that her husband pressured her to study further to secure a job in the US. She also alleged that her mother-in-law insisted she have a child, encouraged her to eat more, and demanded she learn Tamil.

In 2013, a magistrate court in Bengaluru convicted the doctor and his mother under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act. The son was sentenced to one year of simple imprisonment with a ₹1 lakh fine, while the mother received six months’ imprisonment with a ₹10,000 fine.

This judgment was upheld by the sessions court in 2016 but was later challenged in the High Court.

High Court’s Observations

Justice HB Prabhakara Sastry overturned the previous rulings, stating:

“The complainant seems too sensitive, magnifying trivial issues into significant problems, leading to the present case.”

The court highlighted the lack of substantial evidence and noted discrepancies in the complainant’s statements. For instance:

  • The wife claimed she could only communicate with her sister via email, yet the sister was not presented as a witness by the prosecution.
  • An email from the complainant dated August 11, 2008, alleged that her mother-in-law forced her to eat excessive food, and if she refused, she would have to fast.

The court noted that acts of affection and care were misconstrued as harassment.

Conclusion

The High Court emphasized that minor differences and preferences are common in families and should not be exaggerated into legal disputes. It ruled that the allegations lacked credibility and specificity, leading to the acquittal of the doctor and his mother.

This case underscores the importance of providing concrete evidence in family disputes and avoiding the escalation of minor disagreements into serious legal matters.

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==

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *