Section 498A of IPC Not Limited to Dowry Harassment: Madras HC Upholds Conviction for Forced Abortion

The Madras High Court upheld the conviction of a husband and his mother under Section 498A IPC, emphasizing that the provision covers all forms of cruelty inflicted upon a wife, not just dowry-related harassment.

The Court observed that forcing the wife to take abortion pills and denying her entry into the matrimonial home constituted cruelty. The accused had also threatened her with a machete.

Rejecting their revision plea, the Court confirmed simple one-year imprisonment with a fine of Rs. 1000 each and directed the police to execute the warrant.  (Ramasamy and Another v. State)