Supreme Court Quashes Charges Amid Misuse of Section 498-A

The Supreme Court nullified criminal proceedings against a woman's parents-in-law, citing the misuse of Section 498-A IPC as a 'weapon' to settle personal discord. This decision overturns a 2020 Bombay High Court ruling and emphasizes the potential for false allegations in matrimonial disputes.

The Supreme Court has annulled criminal charges against the parents-in-law of a woman who alleged harassment, evaluating that the litigation was leveraged as a 'weapon' in a personal conflict between an estranged couple. This significant verdict highlights concerns over the potential misuse of Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in domestic disputes.

A bench composed of Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan remarked on prior discussions by the apex court about the misuse of Section 498-A, which addresses marital cruelty. They underscored that the complaint lacked substantial allegations against the woman's in-laws, pointing towards its use as a tactical measure to pressurize the husband's family.

The ruling negates a previous judgment by the Bombay High Court, reinforcing the Supreme Court's stance on preventing the misuse of legal provisions in personal conflicts, marking a pivotal moment in matrimonial jurisprudence.

(With inputs from agencies.)