Limitation Period for Section 498A IPC Prosecution Begins from Last Act of Cruelty

The Bombay High Court ruled that the limitation period for taking cognizance of an offence under Section 498A IPC begins from the last act of cruelty and cannot extend indefinitely.

The court emphasized that if the legislature intended to exclude Section 498A from Section 468 CrPC, it would have expressly done so.

While quashing an FIR against the husband's family due to vague allegations, the court upheld proceedings against the husband.

Considering Covid-19-related extensions, the court found no reason to quash the case against him, reaffirming that misuse of legal provisions to over-implicate family members must be curbed.