Supreme Court Clarifies Scope of Section 498A: Dowry Demand Not Essential for Cruelty Charge

The Supreme Court has ruled that a dowry demand is not required to establish the crime of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. The court emphasized that cruelty, whether physical or mental, is sufficient to invoke this provision, which was introduced to shield married women from abuse.

The Supreme Court of India has clarified that a dowry demand is not a necessary component in establishing the offense of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. This section, established in 1983, aims to protect married women from cruelty by their spouses or in-laws.

A bench, including Justices Vikram Nath and Prasanna B Varale, emphasized that the essence of Section 498A lies in the act of cruelty itself, independent of any dowry demand. The court noted that the provision covers both willful acts likely to cause harm and harassment to coerce compliance with unlawful demands.

In a notable case, the court overturned the Andhra Pradesh High Court's decision to quash an FIR based on this clarification, stating that the focus should remain on the broader definition of cruelty. This ruling reaffirms the protection intended by the original provision to combat rising instances of dowry-related and other forms of cruelty.

(With inputs from agencies.)