In a bizarre case that has taken the internet by storm, a woman in Bengaluru, India, accused her US-based husband of cruelty for allegedly restricting her intake of French fries. The accusation led to the issuance of a police lookout circular (LOC) against the man, preventing him from returning to his job in the United States. However, the Karnataka High Court stepped in, deeming the allegations frivolous and a misuse of the legal system, temporarily halting the investigation and allowing the husband to travel back to the US.
The woman, whose identity has not been disclosed, filed a complaint against her husband under Sections 498A and 504 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Dowry Prohibition Act. These sections pertain to cruelty by husband or his relatives and intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace, respectively.
According to reports, the wife claimed that after giving birth, which was complicated by high blood pressure, her husband limited her consumption of French fries, rice, and meat, expressing concerns about her weight gain. The husband countered by stating that he took on all household chores and responsibilities while his wife spent much of her time watching television and making phone calls.
Justice M Nagaprasanna of the Karnataka High Court, in a detailed order issued on Thursday, reviewed the husband’s affidavit, where he assured his availability for future investigation, and allowed him to leave the country until the next hearing on September 21. The judge also instructed the police to notify the Bureau of Immigration regarding the travel plans to ensure the husband would not face any travel restrictions.
Justice Nagaprasanna pointed out that the complaint failed to demonstrate any acts of cruelty as defined under Section 498A of the IPC and stressed that allowing the investigation to continue would be a misuse of the legal system. He expressed his surprise at the police’s decision to issue an LOC in such a trivial matter, stating that it was an abuse of power at the behest of the complainant. He further emphasized that the primary goal of the complainant seemed to be preventing the husband from returning to his job in the US.
This case highlights the potential for misuse of the legal system, particularly in matters relating to domestic disputes. While it is essential to take all claims of cruelty seriously, it is equally important to ensure that such allegations are not used as a tool for personal gain or to exert undue influence. The court’s intervention in this case underscores the need for careful scrutiny of such accusations to prevent the misuse of the legal system.
