The Chhattisgarh High Court recently emphasized that Section 498-A IPC cannot be used as a weapon to settle personal scores with in-laws. This ruling came as the court granted a divorce decree to a husband, highlighting that false allegations by a spouse amount to mental cruelty.
A bench of Justices Goutam Bhaduri and Rajani Dubey observed that the wife had filed a false FIR under Section 498-A against her husband, his elderly parents, and other family members, alleging cruelty and demanding ₹1 lakh. She also accused her husband of having illicit relations. The husband, however, argued that these allegations were baseless and had tarnished his reputation.
The Family Court initially dismissed the husband’s plea for divorce, prompting him to approach the High Court. The High Court noted that all the family members accused by the wife were acquitted, indicating that the allegations were false and amounted to cruelty.
The court remarked, “False allegations adversely affect the social standing of a family, isolating those who face criminal trials due to baseless accusations. Before making such allegations, one must consider the social status, educational level, and society they move in. False accusations constitute mental cruelty.”
The court underscored that false allegations under Section 498-A IPC, used as a tool for personal vendetta, inflict mental pain and suffering on the accused, making it impossible for the couple to live together.
Given these findings, the court granted a divorce decree in favor of the husband, a doctor, while ordering him to pay ₹15,000 per month as alimony to his wife, who is a private teacher.
This ruling reinforces that misuse of legal provisions for personal vendetta not only causes mental anguish but also impacts the future prospects of young professionals.
Case Title: Dr. Ramkeshwar Singh vs. Smt. Sheela Singh
Case No. FAM 94/2010
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