The Delhi High Court has quashed a dowry harassment and cruelty FIR filed by a woman against her in-laws, following the suicide of her husband just 40 days after their marriage.

Justice Neena Bansal Krishna noted that the case involved vague allegations and abuse of legal process, and continuing the criminal proceedings would not serve the interests of justice.

The petitioners sister-in-law, father-in-law, and mother-in-law sought quashing of the FIR lodged in 2016, which charged them under Sections 498A, 406, and 34 of the Indian Penal Code.

The couple married in March 2016. According to the in-laws, soon after the wedding, differences arose between the spouses. The husband allegedly became mentally disturbed and depressed, while the woman’s family allegedly pressured him to live with her.

The in-laws claimed that the woman’s parents threatened to implicate their entire family in a false dowry and domestic violence case. The husband, facing mental and physical harassment, committed suicide on April 13, 2016, barely 40 days into the marriage.

Following the cremation, the woman reportedly left the matrimonial home at her parents’ instance. Two months later, she filed a complaint alleging dowry harassment, conspiracy, and abetment of suicide against her in-laws.

The Court allowed the plea, observing that the marriage was short-lived, and the husband’s death resulted in strained relations and litigation.

It found the allegations against the sister-in-law vague and baseless, aimed at implicating her without reason. Regarding the father-in-law, the Court noted that claims of cash, vehicles, and expensive ornaments were unsupported by evidence.

The Court concluded:

“The allegations of dowry harassment are vague, not substantiated by records, and constitute abuse of legal process. The complaint under Section 498A IPC is quashed in the interest of justice.”

Case Reference: X & Ors v. State & Anr