The Indian Supreme Court has issued a strong warning against the misuse of cruelty laws in marital disputes, citing a rise in cases where women leverage Section 498A (now Section 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita) for personal vendetta. The court emphasized the law’s intended purpose and highlighted the need to prevent its exploitation.
The Supreme Court has raised concerns about the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), a new criminal code, for reproducing Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) verbatim. The court called on the government and Parliament to make necessary changes before it comes into effect, highlighting the need to consider pragmatic realities and avoid vague and sweeping allegations that could lead to the breakdown of marriages.
