Remarks on Wife’s Cooking or Clothing Not ‘Grave Cruelty’ Under 498A : Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court (Aurangabad Bench) quashed a criminal case under Section 498A IPC against a husband, his parents, and sisters, holding that comments on a wife’s cooking or clothing do not amount to “grave cruelty".

The woman alleged post-marriage harassment, concealment of the husband’s mental health, ₹15 lakh demand for a flat, and eviction.

The Court found the claims vague, uncorroborated, and noted chats showed she knew of his health issues before marriage.

Terming the prosecution an abuse of process, it observed that exaggerated allegations in strained marriages do not meet Section 498A’s cruelty threshold.

[Tushar Sampat Mane and Ors v. State of Maharashtra and Anr]