The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), often used to settle personal scores in matrimonial disputes. A bench comprising Justices S. Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari made these observations while quashing an FIR against the in-laws of a woman who had accused them and her husband of cruelty and dowry harassment.
The FIR, filed on April 1, 2019, accused the husband and his family of mental harassment and threatening the complainant regarding her pregnancy. However, the bench dismissed these allegations, stating they were “general and omnibus” in nature, lacking specific details that could justify prosecution.
The bench emphasized that allowing prosecution in such cases, where concrete evidence is absent, would lead to an abuse of legal processes. It highlighted the original purpose of Section 498A: to protect women from cruelty and ensure prompt intervention.
The court noted, however, that the misuse of this provision has become a growing concern. The rise in matrimonial litigation has increased friction in marriages, often leading to allegations against the husband’s relatives without adequate scrutiny of the implications for both parties.
Citing past judgments, the bench reiterated that false accusations could harm both the complainant and the accused, and unchecked misuse undermines the intent of the law. The ruling serves as a reminder that legal tools must be applied responsibly to avoid injustice.
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