Dowry demand not needed to invoke cruelty charge against husbands: SC
NEW DELHI, Feb 21 (PTI): The Supreme Court has said dowry demand was not a prerequisite to constitute the offence of cruelty under section 498A of the IPC introduced in 1983 to protect married women from the husband and in-laws.
A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale on December 12, 2024 said the essence of Section 498A IPC lay in the act of cruelty itself and a dowry demand was not necessary to invoke the provision against errant husbands and in-laws.
“Therefore, either form of cruelty, independent of a dowry demand, is sufficient to attract the provisions of Section 498A IPC and make the offence punishable under the law,” said the bench.
