The Punjab and Haryana High Court partly allowed a petition seeking quashing of an FIR registered under Sections 406 and 498-A IPC in a matrimonial dispute. The FIR had been filed by the wife’s father, alleging cruelty and dowry harassment by the husband and his family.
The Court noted that the couple’s disputes arose overseas, where they were residing, and that the wife had already obtained divorce in 2019 from an Australian court before remarrying in 2020. Finding no incident of harassment or dowry demand in India, the Court held that the allegations against the mother-in-law and sisters-in-law were vague and without basis, and quashed the proceedings against them.
However, relief was denied to the husband, as the Court observed that he had misused anticipatory bail by travelling abroad without permission. The petition was thus partly allowed, FIR proceedings were quashed against the in-laws but not against the husband.
Appearances:
Mr. Suvir Sidhu, Advocate for the petitioners.
Mr. Manish Bansal, PP, UT, Chandigarh with Mr. Navjit Singh, Advocate for UT, Chandigarh.
Mr. Amjad Khan and Mr. Anureet S. Sidhu, Advocates for respondent No.2.
