Delhi High Court Upholds Trial in Matrimonial Torture Case

The Delhi High Court has dismissed a man's plea to quash an FIR filed against him for allegedly torturing his estranged wife. The court emphasized that matrimonial cases should not be routinely dismissed, especially when the victim opposes it. The woman claimed the man took back the settlement amount, leading to the breakdown of their agreed divorce settlement.

The Delhi High Court has firmly rejected a man's petition to quash a criminal case lodged against him for allegedly torturing his estranged wife. Justice Chandra Dhari Singh emphasized that cases involving matrimonial issues should not be dropped routinely if the victim opposes such action. The case arose after the woman alleged that her husband had reneged on a mutual divorce settlement and continued to subject her to cruelty.

The court described the situation as a classic example of affluent individuals trying to circumvent the law by coercing the aggrieved party into a settlement. Despite the wide powers available under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court stressed these should be applied sparingly, especially when the victim contests the quashing of charges.

The couple, married in 2012, found their relationship legally challenged in 2015 when the wife lodged an FIR alleging criminal breach of trust and cruelty. The high court observed that the man's actions continued to reflect the criminal nature of the offence, thus allowing the trial to proceed. The judgement underscores the court's commitment to ensuring justice in cases of matrimonial conflicts.

(With inputs from agencies.)