Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983

The Supreme Court examined an appeal by Balwant Singh and others against their convictions under Sections 498A, 304B and 306 of the IPC for the death of Renu Bala. The Court clarified that Sections 304B (dowry death) and 498A (cruelty) are distinct offences; cruelty as defined in the Explanation to 498A must be proved …

The petitioner’s daughter died in August 1986 and the petitioner filed a criminal complaint under Section 498-A IPC. After the Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Act, 1986 inserted Section 304‑B IPC (dowry death) with effect from 19 November 1986, the petitioner sought to have the case transferred to a Court of Session for …

Girdhar Shankar Tawade was tried for abetment of suicide under IPC s.306 and cruelty to a woman under s.498‑A. The prosecution relied on contradictory oral testimony of the deceased's brother and cousin, three letters written by the deceased, and a dying declaration. The trial court and the High Court convicted him on …

The appellant, the aunt of the husband, was convicted under Section 498A of the IPC for allegedly participating in dowry demand that led to the death of the wife. The prosecution alleged that the husband, his brother, and the aunt demanded jewellery and cash, and that the husband and brother strangulated the wife while…

The appellant Naresh Kumar was convicted under Section 306 of the IPC for allegedly abetting his wife Rani's suicide in 1993, based largely on the fact that she died within seven years of marriage and that he repeatedly demanded money for a business. The prosecution relied on the testimony of the deceased's brother and…

The appellants Vidhya Devi and others were convicted under Section 304‑B IPC for the dowry death of Satyawati, who was set ablaze four months after a dowry demand and died within seven years of marriage. The trial court and High Court upheld the conviction, and the appellants appealed, challenging the applicability of …

The petitioner, Sushil Kumar Sharma, filed a writ petition under Article 32 challenging the constitutional validity of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that it is misused to victimise innocent persons through false dowry‑related accusations. The Supreme Court examined whether the mere possibility of abus…

The appellant, Ramesh Kumar, was convicted under Sections 306 and 498-A of the IPC for the suicide of his wife Seema within a year of marriage. The trial court relied on testimonies, a suicide note, a diary, and an undated letter, interpreting the husband's statements as instigation and alleging dowry demands. On appea…

The wife of Iqbal Singh set herself and her three children on fire on 7 June 1983 after prolonged dowry harassment by her husband, his mother and sister. She had previously complained to police and written letters detailing the abuse and her fear for her life. The husband, his mother and sister were charged under Secti…

The appellant, Pinakin Mahipatray Rawal, was convicted under Sections 498A and 306 IPC for allegedly causing his wife's suicide through an extra‑marital relationship with his colleague (A‑2). The Supreme Court examined whether the alleged relationship amounted to cruelty within the meaning of Section 498A and whether i…

Pawan Kumar (husband) and his parents-in‑law were convicted for the death of his wife, Urmil, who died from severe burns within seven years of marriage. The prosecution alleged that the husband and his relatives repeatedly demanded a scooter and refrigerator as dowry, subjected the wife to mental cruelty and harassment…

Chanda, a newly married woman, died from severe burns after a fire broke out in her in-laws' house; neighbours rescued her but she later succumbed to her injuries. Her parents alleged dowry harassment and filed a police report; the investigation led to a charge sheet under s.306 IPC read with s.34 against her brother D…

An FIR was lodged against U. Suvetha, describing her as the "girl friend"/"concubine" of the husband of the complainant. Suvetha sought discharge on the ground that the allegation, even if true, did not constitute an offence under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The Madras High Court dismissed the applicat…

The appellants, husband and parents‑in‑law of a married woman who died by self‑immolation, were tried for offences under Sections 3048 and 498A of the IPC. The trial court acquitted them of the dowry‑death charge under Section 3048 but convicted them under Section 498A for cruelty that allegedly drove the woman to suic…

The wife, Santosh Kumari, alleged that her husband Satish Kumar Batra and his relatives subjected her to dowry demands and cruelty, leading to physical assaults and attempts to force her to commit suicide. An FIR was filed under Sections 498A and 406 IPC, and the trial court convicted all accused, sentencing them to tw…