In a recent ruling, the Supreme Court of India quashed criminal proceedings under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against a woman’s in-laws, observing that “a few taunts here and there is a part of everyday life which for happiness of the family are usually ignored.”
The case involved a woman who filed a complaint against her husband and his parents, alleging cruelty. The Supreme Court noted that the allegations against the in-laws were vague and lacked specific details. The Court emphasized that in matrimonial disputes, especially when allegations arise after many years of marriage and following the initiation of divorce proceedings, courts must be cautious to prevent misuse of legal provisions.
While the proceedings against the in-laws were quashed, the case against the husband was allowed to continue due to specific allegations of physical and mental cruelty.
This judgment underscores the Supreme Court’s stance on preventing the misuse of Section 498A IPC and ensuring that legal provisions are not used for malicious prosecution.
Sources