SC highlights misuse of dowry laws, acquits man in dowry death case
Supreme Court expressed concern over the misuse of dowry harassment provisions, noting that various relatives of the husband are often implicated alongside the main accused, reported TOI. The court stated that «exaggerated versions» are prevalent in many complaints and urged courts to exercise caution in these cases to protect the innocent from unnecessary suffering.
Acquitting a man in a dowry death case, Justices C.T. Ravikumar and Sanjay Kumar highlighted that he married the deceased's sister-in-law after the initial dowry harassment allegations arose, and emphasised that he could not be convicted simply because his wife was found guilty.
According to the TOI report, the apex court and various high courts have previously flagged the issue of misuse of these provisions. They emphasised that general and vague allegations should not serve as grounds for prosecution, advising courts to approach such complaints with caution.
«This Court observed that it is a matter of common knowledge that exaggerated versions of the incident are reflected in a large number of complaints and the tendency of over implication is also reflected in a large number of cases,» the bench remarked, citing earlier rulings.
The justices stressed the need for courts to identify instances of over-implication to prevent unwarranted suffering, noted TOI. They noted that the accused married the sister of the main accused in October 2010, just five and a half months before the unfortunate incident resulting in the deceased's death.
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