New Delhi
It is common understanding that section 498A is imposed on the demand for dowry. If dowry has not been demanded, then the woman’s husband and family can escape from such a case. But the Supreme Court of the country has clarified the situation on this. The court said that section 498A aims to protect women from domestic harassment, violence and atrocities. Its purpose is not just to protect against harassment by demanding dowry. If a woman’s husband and in -laws do not ask for dowry, but do violence and torture her, they can still have action under section 498A. The common belief has been that this law is only to protect women from dowry harassment cases. In such a situation, this comment of the Supreme Court is important.
While hearing a case, Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Prasanna B.K. Wararal said that the main objective of section 498A is to protect it from cruelty. This is not just to deal with cases of dowry harassment. The bench said that if the in -laws are not demanding dowry, but the woman is being physically and mentally harassed, then action can be taken against them. The order issued on December 12, 2014 said, “Under this section it is not necessary to demand dowry to decide the definition of cruelty.” The apex court gave this decision, rejecting the order of the Andhra Pradesh High Court. High Court has given A.T. The action against Rao under 498A was rejected. Now the Supreme Court has rejected that order.