Jammu & Kashmir High Court Quashes Case Against In-laws, Highlights Misuse of Criminal Proceedings in Matrimonial Conflicts
Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by News Desk
The Jammu & Kashmir High Court threw out a criminal case that a woman had brought against her in-laws, ruling that legal actions cannot be used improperly to settle marital disputes. The court emphasised that carrying on with these proceedings would be a misuse of the legal system.
The First Information Report (FIR) that had been filed against the man’s family in 2017 was the impetus for the case, which was brought about by their plea. The FIR accused them of offences under Sections 498-A, 342, 504, and 506 of the Ranbir Penal Code (RPC). The petitioners argued that the criminal proceedings were initiated solely to harass them. The matrimonial union between the couple, who met through a matrimonial site, lacked familial attendance during the marriage ceremony.
The wife allegedly exhibited indifference towards her husband and family members soon after the marriage and departed without valid cause. The situation escalated when the wife demanded her husband leave his parents and children from a previous marriage if he wished to continue the marriage. The respondent-wife lodged a complaint against the petitioners, alleging ill-treatment and abuse for insufficient dowry.
The High Court acknowledged that the allegations primarily pertained to her husband and ordered the quashing of proceedings against the petitioners specified in the charge sheet arising from the FIR.
Written by: Srijan Raj @procrastinate_human
