SC said in dowry harassment case – need for in-depth investigation into false allegations

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Saturday rejected a dowry harassment case filed by a woman against her in-laws, saying the allegations made by the complainant were vague. The Supreme Court said that she misused the criminal process in the case and filed the case with the wrong intention to harass her in-laws. The woman had filed a case against her step-mother-in-law, step-brother-in-law and father-in-law under sections like dowry harassment and intimidation etc. Citing earlier judgments, the top court said it is the duty of the court to investigate the allegations properly, and to be more cautious when the allegations are deplorable and malicious.The woman had accused her in-laws
The Supreme Court has said that the woman had accused her in-laws of being cruel to her. They have also been threatened that they will be evicted from their properties etc. A case was registered in the matter. The Supreme Court said that the complaint in the FIR is general and vague. There is also a shortage of goods. In this case, the accused had first approached the High Court, but the Bombay High Court had refused to dismiss the case and action registered in dowry harassment and other cases. The accused had challenged this in the Supreme Court. The bench led by Justice PS Narasimha said that in this case, the complaint lodged by the complainant woman in the criminal case against her in-laws was made with malicious intent. All this was done to harass them.

Justice Narasimha's bench has said in its decision that there is no truth in the allegation. Registering a criminal case and running a criminal case on the basis of vague and doubtful statements is not justified. This would be injustice to the party concerned (accused in-laws). Citing an earlier judgment, the top court said it is the duty of the high court to investigate the allegations properly and should be more cautious when the allegations are deplorable and malicious.