Mere Quarrel with Daughter-in-Law Not Cruelty or Dowry Harassment: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court held that a mere quarrel with a daughter-in-law does not by itself amount to cruelty or dowry harassment under Section 498A IPC and Sections 3 & 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The Court quashed criminal proceedings against the parents-in-law after finding that the allegations against them were vague and limited to claims that they used to quarrel with the complainant.

A Bench comprising of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed that general and omnibus allegations without specific acts of harassment or dowry demand cannot justify prosecution under these provisions.

[Dr. Sushil Kumar Purbey & Anr. v. State of Bihar & Ors.]