Delhi High Court Fines Woman ₹2 Lakh for Harassing Aged In-Laws Through Frivolous Litigation

The Delhi High Court has imposed a fine of ₹2 lakh on a woman for harassing her aged in-laws through frivolous litigation despite having remarried after her husband’s death.

The Court allowed the plea moved by the aged in-laws challenging a trial court order which added their names to the array of respondents in an application filed by the woman, their daughter-in-law, under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.

The Court observed that the woman pursued property and maintenance claims without merit, causing undue stress to the elderly couple, and noted the penalty serves to deter misuse of judicial processes.

[Smt. Usha Sharma & Anr. v. Swati Sharma]