Supreme Court Flags Misuse of Section 304-B IPC in Dowry Death Cases, Calls for Judicial Training

The Supreme Court overturned the appellant’s conviction under Section 304-B IPC (Dowry Death), criticizing Trial Courts for repeated mistakes and urging State Judicial Academies to intervene.

The appellant was convicted for dowry death and cruelty after his wife died by suicide, and sentenced to eight years of rigorous imprisonment.

The Court stated that Section 304-B applies only if the death is unnatural, occurs within seven years of marriage, and involves proven cruelty or harassment for dowry soon before death.

Finding contradictions, delays, and vague allegations in witness statements, the Court ruled that the prosecution failed to prove the case and quashed the conviction.