The Punjab and Haryana High Court has imposed a fine of ₹1 lakh on a woman for filing a false case of cruelty against her disabled in-laws.
The case began in May 2017, when an FIR was registered under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code at a Jhajjar police station. The woman alleged that her father-in-law attacked her by “running to beat her with a stick.” However, medical records showed that he was 100% disabled and could walk only with the help of crutches. The court noted that it was impossible for him to chase or hit anyone, as such an attempt would cause him to fall.
Similarly, the mother-in-law, who was also 100% disabled and wheelchair-bound, was accused of dragging the complainant by her hair and slapping her. Justice Gupta found these claims “blatantly untrue” as the medical certificate confirmed that her lower limbs were completely non-functional.
The court observed that the complaint was “manifestly frivolous, vexatious, and ill-intended.” It further stated that instead of being victims of cruelty, the elderly and disabled in-laws themselves were subjected to harassment and abuse by the complainant.
Justice Gupta stressed that legal provisions are meant to protect victims of suffering, not to be misused as a weapon for settling personal scores. Calling the FIR a “gross abuse of law,” the court ordered the woman to deposit ₹1 lakh as exemplary costs within four months before the trial court.
The amount is to be distributed equally between the in-laws. If the woman fails to comply, the trial court will take appropriate legal action against her.
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