Legal News

Wife Hides Previous Marriage From Husband, Yet No Cheating? Chhattisgarh HC Quashes Criminal Proceedings Against Woman

The Chhattisgarh High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a woman accused by her husband of concealing her previous marriage. The Court found that the allegations did not satisfy the essential ingredients required to constitute the offence of cheating, emphasizing that concealment or a matrimonial dispute by itself does not automatically establish criminal liability.

Father Can’t Be Prosecuted Under JJ Act Just For Not Paying Maintenance If Child Was Not In His Charge: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court quashed criminal proceedings against a father accused under Section 75 of the Juvenile Justice Act for allegedly failing to maintain his child. The Court held that merely being the biological father is insufficient—the prosecution must show that he had actual charge or control over the child and wilfully neglected or subjected the child to the conduct covered by Section 75. Since the child was living with the mother while the father was working abroad, mere non-payment of maintenance did not by itself attract the provision.

Husband Living In A Different Room from His Wife Under The Same Roof Is Cruelty? Karnataka High Court Answers

The Karnataka High Court held that a husband and wife occupying separate rooms in the same house does not, by itself, establish matrimonial cruelty. However, the Court said the arrangement can be considered along with prolonged marital discord, allegations of abuse and neglect, estrangement and failed reconciliation. Looking at the cumulative circumstances in this case, the High Court upheld the divorce granted on the ground of mental cruelty under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act.

498A & Dowry Death Laws Misuse | ‘Casual Taunts Don’t Amount To Cruelty’: Delhi Court Acquits Husband

A Delhi court acquitted a husband charged under Sections 498A and 304B IPC after finding insufficient evidence of dowry-related cruelty or harassment soon before his wife’s death. The court observed that casual taunts and ordinary marital discord cannot by themselves constitute cruelty unless the legal ingredients are proved, and stressed that suspicion cannot replace proof.

False DV Case | "Husband’s Sisters Lived Separately, So Question Of Torture Does Not Arise": Gujarat High Court Quashes Case

498A / 85 BNS Cannot Be Used Against Husband’s Girlfriend Or Students; They Are Not 'Relatives': Calcutta High Court Quashes Cruelty Case

Husband And Family Acquitted In 498A, Still Dragged Into A DV Case On Same Allegations? Chhattisgarh High Court Says Wife Can Proceed

The Chhattisgarh High Court held that a husband and his family’s acquittal under Section 498A IPC does not automatically prevent the wife from proceeding under Section 12 of the Domestic Violence Act. The Court explained that Section 498A IPC and the DV Act operate in different fields and have distinct purposes; therefore, an earlier criminal acquittal does not by itself make the subsequent DV proceedings illegal.

498A & Dowry Trials Put On Fast Track: Supreme Court Says Frame Charges Within 60–90 Days, Stop Needless Adjournments

The Supreme Court has stressed the need to prevent prolonged delays in criminal trials. Under the BNSS framework, statutory timelines apply at the charge-framing stage, including a 60-day timeline in specified proceedings, while tighter procedural discipline aims to reduce unnecessary adjournments. For 498A and dowry-related cases, the exact timeline depends on the offence, trial forum and applicable BNSS provision.

Can A Husband’s Business Money Demand Become A 498A Case Even If It Is Not Dowry? Jharkhand High Court Answers

Does Section 498A IPC apply when money demanded from a wife’s family is allegedly for the husband’s business and not specifically called dowry? The Jharkhand High Court has explained why the legal test is wider than a traditional dowry demand.