Quarrels Between the Spouses or Divorce Demand Not Cruelty Under Section 498A of IPC

The Gauhati High Court held that mere quarrels between a husband and wife or a husband’s demand for divorce do not amount to cruelty under Section 498A of IPC. 

The court quashed the criminal proceedings against a husband who was accused by his wife under Section 498A IPC & Section 67 of the IT Act.

The court stated that no evidence of a demand for dowry or direct involvement of the accused was found. 

The court ruled that the provision could not be arbitrarily applied to marital discord, the charges against the petitioner were unsustainable, and proceeded to quash the proceedings.