Taunting Over Dark Complexion, Inability to Cook Not Cruelty : Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court has acquitted a man convicted under IPC Sections 498A (cruelty) and 306 (abetment to suicide), nearly three decades after his wife’s death by suicide.

The petitioner had allegedly taunted his wife about her dark complexion and cooking abilities, which the court described as domestic quarrels, not high-degree cruelty.

The Court noted no clear link between the alleged remarks and the suicide, which occurred years later.

The Court held that taunting or insulting alone does not fulfil the legal threshold for mental cruelty unless it’s persistent or tied to dowry demands. Consequently, the conviction was set aside.

[Sadashiv Parbati Rupnawar v State of Maharashtra]