Karnataka High Court Quashes Criminal Proceedings in a Case Involving Trivial Disputes between Husband and Wife
The Karnataka High Court has recently ruled that criminal proceedings against a man and his family members cannot be allowed based on what they referred to as “glorified trivialities” between a husband and wife. The court quashed a case in which the man and his family were accused of offenses under Sections 498A, 504, and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) – which relate to cruelty against women, intentional insult, and criminal intimidation, respectively.
In a single judge bench hearing, Justice M Nagaprasanna expressed concern over complainants dragging all family members into cases involving trivial grievances, without considering the dire consequences that criminal proceedings can have on the accused and their families. The court emphasized the need for caution when invoking Sections 504 and 506 of the IPC, urging Investigating Officers to exercise discretion in such cases.
The case before the court stemmed from a complaint filed a wife against her husband and his family members, after 15 years of marriage. The complaint alleged that the husband verbally abused her when she asked for money to perform a religious ritual. While the police filed a charge sheet only against the husband under the aforementioned sections of the IPC, the court found that the complaint and the charge sheet did not support the allegations made.
The bench noted that the dispute was primarily between the husband and wife and did not involve any breach of public peace. It criticized the inclusion of the husband’s parents in the charge sheet and highlighted the need to quash frivolous cases based on far-fetched and vague allegations, referring to various judgments of the Supreme Court.
The court also raised concerns about the indiscriminate use of Sections 504 and 506 Investigating Officers, stating that these non-cognizable offenses should be scrutinized before being invoked. It cautioned that the inclusion of these sections should not be taken lightly, as they carry a punishment of up to two years of imprisonment.
Ultimately, the bench quashed the entire proceedings, deeming the continuation of the criminal process against the petitioner an abuse of the law and a clear injustice.
In conclusion, the Karnataka High Court’s ruling sends a strong message about the importance of carefully evaluating the merits of cases involving familial disputes before initiating criminal proceedings. The court’s decision highlights the need for responsible application of the law to prevent the unnecessary harassment of individuals and their families.
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