The Allahabad High Court has introduced a two-month “cooling-off period” after filing FIRs under Section 498A IPC, aiming to stop misuse and ensure fair investigation through Family Welfare Committees.
The Supreme Court has acquitted a man in a 26-year-old dowry and cruelty case, highlighting how Section 498A IPC is often misused in family disputes. The Court stressed the need for solid evidence and cautioned against implicating entire families without proof.
The Supreme Court has cautioned against the misuse of Section 498A IPC in matrimonial cases, stating that vague allegations against husbands and their relatives can lead to abuse of the legal system.
The Bombay High Court ruled that a husband’s relatives cannot be booked under Section 498A IPC just because they advised the wife to tolerate his cruelty, unless there is clear evidence of their involvement.
The Allahabad High Court ruled in favor of two sisters-in-law accused under Section 498A IPC, stating they should not be held responsible for dowry demands. The court granted them relief and directed a fresh hearing.
The Kerala High Court ruled that minor disputes in marriage do not amount to dowry harassment under Section 498A IPC unless both dowry demand and cruelty are proven. The Court cautioned against misuse of the law in trivial matters.
The Delhi High Court ruled that being named in a Section 498A FIR without evidence should not delay job appointments. The court ordered Delhi Police to appoint a man as a sub-inspector after his recruitment was unfairly put on hold.
The Karnataka High Court stated that a husband suggesting his wife pursue further education or find a job does not constitute cruelty. The court emphasized that such discussions are common in modern marriages.
The Telangana High Court ruled that damaging a spouse’s reputation or denying access to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram may amount to cruelty, setting a precedent in modern divorce cases. The court granted divorce in a case where the wife’s repeated false allegations and desertion caused mental cruelty.
