Husband Sending Money to Parents, Asking Wife to Track Expenses Not ‘Cruelty’ under Sec 498A: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court has quashed proceedings under Section 498A IPC and the Dowry Prohibition Act, holding that a husband sending money to his parents and asking his wife to maintain Excel sheets of household expenses does not amount to cruelty or dowry harassment.

The bench observed that such allegations, even if taken at face value, reflect everyday matrimonial conduct and do not meet the ingredients of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code.

It reiterated that vague and omnibus allegations, without specific instances or particulars, cannot sustain criminal prosecution.

Setting aside the Telangana High Court’s refusal to quash the FIR, the Court held that continuation of proceedings would amount to abuse of the process of law.

[Belide Swagath Kumar v. State of Telangana & Ors.]