{"id":33,"date":"2025-06-08T20:44:32","date_gmt":"2025-06-08T15:14:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/8601-2002\/"},"modified":"2025-06-08T20:44:32","modified_gmt":"2025-06-08T15:14:32","slug":"8601-2002","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/8601-2002\/","title":{"rendered":"M. ABDUL SATHAR vs ANEESA"},"content":{"rendered":"<p align=\"center\"><strong>Kerala High Court IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM<\/strong><\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">Crl MC No. 8601 of 2002<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">\n1. M. ABDUL SATHAR, S\/O. ERAMULLAN,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8230;\u00a0 Petitioner<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Vs<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">1. ANEESA, D\/O. ASSAINAR,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8230;\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Respondent<br \/>\n2. SUB INSPECTOR OF POLICE, HOSDURG<br \/>\n3. STATE OF KERALA REPRESENTED BY\n<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For Petitioner\u00a0 :SRI.IMTHIYAZ AHAMED<\/p>\n<p align=\"center\">\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 For Respondent\u00a0 :PUBLIC PROSECUTOR<br \/>\nThe Honble MRS. Justice K.HEMA<\/p>\n<p>.HE 1<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0Can a former\/divorcee husband be held liable\u00a0 for<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence under section 498A of Indian Penal Code (IPC, for<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 short)?\u00a0 Is existence of marriage between accused and the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 victim, a requirement to constitute offence under section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A IPC?\u00a0 Can the court take cognizance of offence under<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC on the basis of a complaint filed by a<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 divorced woman?\u00a0 These are precisely, the questions to be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 answered in this case.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a02.\u00a0\u00a0 A\u00a0 private complaint was filed by a divorced<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wife against her former husband and his relatives\u00a0 before<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 a Magistrate\u00a0 of\u00a0 First\u00a0 Class.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 It\u00a0 was alleged in the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 complaint that petitioner subjected the complainant\/first<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 respondent\u00a0 to\u00a0 cruelty\u00a0 during\u00a0 subsistence\u00a0\u00a0 of\u00a0\u00a0 their<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marriage and\u00a0\u00a0 also\u00a0\u00a0 after\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 divorce.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Magistrate<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 forwarded the complaint to police under section 156(3) of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 code of criminal procedure for investigation and a charge<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 sheet was filed against the accused\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and 34\u00a0 of\u00a0 IPC.\u00a0\u00a0 Petitioner is the first accused in the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 case.\u00a0\u00a0 He\u00a0 seeks\u00a0 to\u00a0 quash\u00a0 the\u00a0\u00a0 complaint\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 proceedings initiated against him.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a03.\u00a0\u00a0 Learned\u00a0 counsel\u00a0 appearing\u00a0 for\u00a0 petitioner<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 contended\u00a0 that\u00a0 petitioner\u00a0 cannot\u00a0 be\u00a0 prosecuted\u00a0\u00a0 for<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A IPC since admittedly, he is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 not `the husband but only the `former\u00a0 husband\u00a0 of\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 complainant.\u00a0\u00a0 According\u00a0 to\u00a0 him,\u00a0 offence under section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A IPC will lie only against\u00a0 `the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 and\u00a0 `the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 relatives of\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But,\u00a0 on\u00a0 account\u00a0 of the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 divorce petitioner ceased to\u00a0 be\u00a0 the\u00a0 `husband\u00a0 and\u00a0 no<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marital\u00a0\u00a0 relationship\u00a0 exists\u00a0 between\u00a0 complainant\u00a0 and<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 petitioner.\u00a0 Section 498A IPC deals\u00a0 with\u00a0 a\u00a0 matrimonial<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 and\u00a0 existence\u00a0 of\u00a0 a\u00a0 matrimonial\u00a0 relationship<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 between the accused and the victim is a pre-requisite\u00a0 to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 constitute offence\u00a0\u00a0 under\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0\u00a0 said\u00a0 section.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 petitioner not `being the husband of the complainant, he<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cannot be\u00a0 proceeded\u00a0 against\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC.<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 These in short, are the arguments.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a04.\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0 above argument appears to be built upon<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the language of section 498A IPC.\u00a0\u00a0 A\u00a0 plain\u00a0 reading\u00a0 of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A IPC shows that the expressions used therein<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 referring to the accused\u00a0 are,\u00a0 `the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 and\u00a0 `the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 relatives of the husband.\u00a0 But petitioner admittedly, is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 not `the\u00a0 husband.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 He\u00a0 can be treated only as `former<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 husband or `divorcee husband of the victim.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 So,\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 question\u00a0 is,\u00a0 can a former\/divorcee husband be proceeded<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 against for offence under section 498A\u00a0 of\u00a0 Indian\u00a0 Penal<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Code?\u00a0\u00a0 In\u00a0 existence of marriage between the accused and<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the victim, a requirement\u00a0 to\u00a0 constitute\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section 498A\u00a0 IPC?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Can\u00a0 the\u00a0 court\u00a0 take cognizance of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 on\u00a0 the\u00a0 basis\u00a0 of\u00a0 a<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 complaint filed by a divorced woman?<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a05.\u00a0 To seek answers to the above three questions,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 a\u00a0 reading\u00a0 of\u00a0 section 498A IPC is absolutely necessary.<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The said section is therefore extracted as hereunder:<\/p>\n<p>.SP 1<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S.498-A.\u00a0 Husband or relative of\u00a0 husband\u00a0 of\u00a0 a@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 i<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 woman subjecting her to cruelty.&#8211; Whoever, being<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 or the relative of the husband of a<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 woman, subjects such woman to\u00a0 cruelty\u00a0 shall\u00a0 be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 punished\u00a0 with\u00a0 imprisonment for a term which may<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 extend to three years and shall also be liable to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 fine.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Explanation.-\u00a0 For\u00a0 the purposes of this section,@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 i<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cruelty means-<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0(a) any wilful conduct which\u00a0 is\u00a0 of\u00a0 such\u00a0 a@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 i<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 nature as is likely to drive the woman to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 commit\u00a0 suicide\u00a0 or to cause grave injury<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 or\u00a0 danger\u00a0 to\u00a0 life,\u00a0 limb\u00a0\u00a0 or\u00a0\u00a0 health<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 (whether\u00a0\u00a0 mental\u00a0 or\u00a0 physical)\u00a0 of\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 woman; or<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0(b) harassment\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 woman\u00a0\u00a0 where\u00a0\u00a0 such@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 i<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 harassment is with a view to coercing her<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 or\u00a0 any person related to her to meet any<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 unlawful\u00a0 demand\u00a0 for\u00a0 any\u00a0 property\u00a0\u00a0 or<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 valuable\u00a0 security\u00a0 or\u00a0 is\u00a0 on account of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 failure by her or any person\u00a0 related\u00a0 to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 her to meet such demand.<br \/>\n.SP 2<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a06.\u00a0\u00a0 From\u00a0 a\u00a0 reading\u00a0 of section 498A IPC, it is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 clear that if\u00a0 a\u00a0 person\u00a0 `being\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 or\u00a0 `the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 relative\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 of\u00a0 a\u00a0 woman subjects her to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cruelty, he can be held guilty of offence under the\u00a0 said<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section.\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0 relevant\u00a0 expressions used in the section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 referring to the accused are,\u00a0 `being\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 and<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `the relative of the husband.\u00a0 `Being the husband would<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ordinarily mean, `in his capacity as the husband, or `on<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 account\u00a0 of\u00a0 his\u00a0 being the husband or `on his being the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 husband.\u00a0 That means, if a person subjects\u00a0 a\u00a0 woman\u00a0 to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cruelty\u00a0 on\u00a0 his\u00a0 being her husband ie., in his status as<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband,\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0\u00a0 498A\u00a0\u00a0 will\u00a0\u00a0 be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 attracted.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a07.\u00a0\u00a0 From\u00a0 the\u00a0 above discussion it is clear that<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 what is relevant to establish offence under section\u00a0 498A<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 is\u00a0 the marital status of the accused at the time of@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 AAAAAAAAAAAAAA<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 commission of\u00a0 offence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0 expression,\u00a0 `being\u00a0\u00a0 the@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 husband\u00a0 used\u00a0 in\u00a0 the\u00a0 section\u00a0 relates\u00a0 to the marital<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 status of the accused at the time of\u00a0 commission\u00a0 of\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 and\u00a0 not\u00a0 such\u00a0 status\u00a0 at the time of filing of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 complaint.\u00a0 Emphasis is seen given in section 498A IPC to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 marital\u00a0 status\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 accused\u00a0 at\u00a0 the\u00a0 time\u00a0 of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 commission\u00a0 of offence and not to what it was at the time<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 of filing the complaint.\u00a0 In such circumstances,\u00a0 offence<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 under\u00a0\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 will\u00a0 lie\u00a0 against\u00a0 a\u00a0 person<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 irrespective of whether he\u00a0 was\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 or\u00a0 former<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 husband\u00a0 of\u00a0 a\u00a0 woman at the time of filing of complaint.<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If a former husband had\u00a0 committed\u00a0 the\u00a0 offence\u00a0 in\u00a0 his<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 capacity\u00a0\u00a0 as\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband\u00a0 during\u00a0 subsistence\u00a0 of\u00a0 his<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marriage with the victim, he can be proceeded against for<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence under section 498A IPC.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a08.\u00a0 A reading of section 498A IPC further reveals<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that\u00a0 the\u00a0 expression\u00a0 used in section 498A IPC to denote<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `the person aggrieved by the offence\u00a0 is\u00a0 significantly,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `woman and\u00a0 not\u00a0 `wife.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This\u00a0 in\u00a0 a\u00a0 way,\u00a0 gives\u00a0 an<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 indication that there is no bar for a woman &#8212;\u00a0 whether<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 she\u00a0 be\u00a0 the\u00a0 wife\u00a0 or\u00a0 the\u00a0 divorced\u00a0 wife &#8212; to proceed<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 against the accused\/husband\u00a0 for\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 if\u00a0 she\u00a0 is\u00a0 aggrieved\u00a0 by\u00a0 commission of such<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence.\u00a0 But in such case, it has to be established that<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the offence was committed by the accused\u00a0 while\u00a0 marriage<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 between the\u00a0 accused\u00a0 and victim was in existence.\u00a0 It is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 not necessary that the victim should continue to be\u00a0 `the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wife\u00a0 of\u00a0 the accused at the time of filing of complaint<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 also.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a09.\u00a0 The above\u00a0 position\u00a0 is\u00a0 further\u00a0 clear\u00a0 from<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section 198A of the Code of Criminal Procedure (the code,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 for short) also.\u00a0 The said section reads as follows:<\/p>\n<p>.SP 1<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 S.198-A.\u00a0 Prosecution of offences under\u00a0 Section@@<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 i<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498-A\u00a0 of\u00a0 the Indian Penal Code.- No court shall<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 take cognizance of an\u00a0 offence\u00a0 punishable\u00a0 under<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Section\u00a0 498-A\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 Indian Penal Code (45 of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 1860) except upon a police report of facts\u00a0 which<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 constitute\u00a0 such offence or upon a complaint made<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 by the person aggrieved by the offence or by\u00a0 her<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 father,\u00a0\u00a0 mother,\u00a0\u00a0 brother,\u00a0 sister\u00a0 or\u00a0 by\u00a0 her<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 fathers or mothers brother or sister\u00a0 or,\u00a0 with<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 leave\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 Court,\u00a0 by\u00a0 any other person<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 related to her by blood, marriage or adoption.<\/p>\n<p>.SP 2<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a010.\u00a0 The expression used in Section 198A\u00a0 of\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Code, referring to the victim is the person aggrieved by<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the offence\u00a0 and not wife.\u00a0 Thus, in section 198A of the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 code also, just as in section 498A\u00a0 IPC,\u00a0 the\u00a0 expression<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `wife is\u00a0 strikingly\u00a0 kept away by the legislature.\u00a0 The<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 use of the word `wife appears to be deliberately avoided<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in this section also.\u00a0 Though `the\u00a0 person\u00a0 aggrieved\u00a0 by<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 is normally the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `wife, the expression used in section 198A of\u00a0 the\u00a0 code<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 referring\u00a0 to\u00a0 such\u00a0 victim is not `wife but it is, `the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 person aggrieved by the offence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This\u00a0 also\u00a0 suggests<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 that\u00a0\u00a0 there\u00a0 is\u00a0 no\u00a0 bar\u00a0 for\u00a0 the\u00a0 divorced\u00a0 wife\u00a0 from<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 proceeding against the accused for the offence\u00a0 committed<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 by him during subsistence of marriage between them.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a011.\u00a0\u00a0 The\u00a0 inclusion\u00a0 of\u00a0 the\u00a0 word\u00a0 `woman, the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 exclusion of the word `wife and use of\u00a0 the\u00a0 expressions<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `being\u00a0 the\u00a0 husband in section 498A IPC and `the person<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 aggrieved by the offence in section 198A of the code\u00a0 do<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 not appear\u00a0 to\u00a0 be\u00a0 merely\u00a0 accidental.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 There\u00a0 must be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 certain\u00a0 clear-cut,\u00a0 unmistakable\u00a0 intention\u00a0 behind\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 same.\u00a0\u00a0 Legislature\u00a0 must\u00a0 have\u00a0 intended\u00a0 that even if a<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 victim of offence under section 498A IPC ceases to be the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wife after commission of offence, such woman shall not be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 prevented from proceeding against\u00a0 the\u00a0 accused\u00a0 for\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 which he had committed during the subsistence of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marriage.\u00a0 Legislature must have\u00a0 also\u00a0 planned\u00a0 that\u00a0 an<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 accused\u00a0\u00a0 should\u00a0 not\u00a0 be\u00a0 allowed\u00a0 to\u00a0 escape\u00a0 from\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 liability under section 498A IPC, by divorcing\u00a0 his\u00a0 wife<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 after\u00a0 committing\u00a0 the\u00a0 offence during a period while his<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marriage with the victim was in existence.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Both\u00a0 these<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 intentions\u00a0\u00a0 are\u00a0\u00a0 made\u00a0\u00a0 workable\u00a0\u00a0 by\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0\u00a0 skill\u00a0 of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 draftsmanship in framing section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 as\u00a0 well\u00a0 as<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section 198A of the code.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a012.\u00a0 Otherwise, it will be easy for\u00a0 an\u00a0 offender<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to\u00a0 defeat\u00a0 a\u00a0 woman\u00a0 and\u00a0 also\u00a0 the\u00a0 very\u00a0 object of the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 legislation by\u00a0 pronouncing\u00a0 `thalaq\u00a0 immediately\u00a0 after<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 commission\u00a0 of\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A IPC and get<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 himself absolved\u00a0\u00a0 from\u00a0\u00a0 criminal\u00a0\u00a0 liability.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 This<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 possibility\u00a0 must\u00a0 have\u00a0 been\u00a0 there\u00a0 in\u00a0 the mind of the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 framers of the section while\u00a0 introducing\u00a0 the\u00a0 provision<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0 that\u00a0 explains\u00a0 the\u00a0 cautious\u00a0 usage of the relevant<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 expressions in section 498A IPC and section 198A\u00a0 of\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 code.\u00a0 Thus, a woman, whether she be the wife or divorced<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wife\u00a0 can\u00a0 proceed against the accused\/husband, if she is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 aggrieved\u00a0 by\u00a0 the\u00a0 offence\u00a0 committed\u00a0 by\u00a0\u00a0 him\u00a0\u00a0 during<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 subsistence\u00a0 of\u00a0 their\u00a0 marriage\u00a0 under section 498A IPC.<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The court can take cognizance\u00a0 of\u00a0 such\u00a0 offence\u00a0 falling<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 under Section 498A IPC on a complaint filed by a divorced<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wife.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a013.\u00a0\u00a0 Another\u00a0 important\u00a0 question also arises in<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 this case.\u00a0 Can a former husband\u00a0 be\u00a0 held\u00a0 liable\u00a0 under<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC for alleged act of `cruelty committed<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 by him on his divorced wife, after the divorce?\u00a0\u00a0 As\u00a0 per<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the\u00a0 allegations\u00a0 in the complaint, petitioner who is the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 former\/divorcee husband of the divorced\u00a0 woman\u00a0 continued<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 to inflict\u00a0 `cruelty\u00a0 on\u00a0 her\u00a0 even after divorce.\u00a0 But,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 going by the language of section 498 IPC,\u00a0 he\u00a0 cannot\u00a0 be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 held guilty of offence under section 498A IPC because, as<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 per\u00a0 the said Section, the act committed by a person will<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 be an offence only if he\u00a0 has\u00a0 done\u00a0 it\u00a0 in\u00a0 his\u00a0 marital<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 status as\u00a0 `the husband.\u00a0 After divorce, he ceases to be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `the husband and hence such acts committed by him\u00a0 after<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 divorce\u00a0 will\u00a0 not\u00a0 constitute offence under section 498A<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IPC.\u00a0 If such acts make out any other offence, he can\u00a0 be<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 proceeded against for such other offence or offences.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a014.\u00a0 I\u00a0 shall\u00a0 now\u00a0 sum up:\u00a0 If a former\/divorcee<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 husband had subjected a divorced wife to cruelty\u00a0 in\u00a0 his<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 status\u00a0\u00a0 as\u00a0 her\u00a0 husband\u00a0 during\u00a0 subsistence\u00a0 of\u00a0 their<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 marriage, he will be liable\u00a0 for\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A of\u00a0 IPC.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But,\u00a0 if\u00a0 the\u00a0 alleged act of cruelty is<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 committed by a former husband on the divorced wife\u00a0 after<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 divorce,\u00a0 no\u00a0 offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC will lie<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 against him.\u00a0 He can however\u00a0 be\u00a0 proceeded\u00a0 against\u00a0 for<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 such act, if it constitutes any other offence.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a015.\u00a0 I would also hold that to constitute offence<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC,\u00a0 existence of marriage between<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 accused\/husband and victim at the time of\u00a0 commission\u00a0 of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence\u00a0 is\u00a0 what is relevant and not that at the time of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 filing of complaint.\u00a0 There is also no bar under\u00a0 section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC for a divorced wife to file a complaint against<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 her former husband\u00a0 for\u00a0 the\u00a0 offence\u00a0 committed\u00a0 by\u00a0 him<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 during\u00a0 subsistence\u00a0 of their marriage under section 498A<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 IPC.\u00a0 Section 198A of the Code enables\u00a0 a\u00a0 divorced\u00a0 wife<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 also\u00a0 to\u00a0 file\u00a0 such\u00a0 complaint\u00a0 and\u00a0 the\u00a0 court can take<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cognizance of offence\u00a0 under\u00a0 section\u00a0 498A\u00a0 IPC\u00a0 if\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offence was committed at a time when the marriage between<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 accused\/husband and victim was subsisting.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a016.\u00a0\u00a0 In\u00a0 the\u00a0 above\u00a0 circumstances,\u00a0 this\u00a0 court<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cannot quash either\u00a0 the\u00a0 complaint\u00a0 or\u00a0 the\u00a0 proceedings<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 initiated\u00a0 against\u00a0 petitioner,\u00a0 since the allegations in<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 the records prima facie constitute offence under\u00a0 section<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 498A IPC.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 But,\u00a0 learned\u00a0 counsel\u00a0 appearing\u00a0 for\u00a0 the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 petitioner submitted that both petitioner and complainant<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 got remarried after the divorce and they are well-settled<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 in life and hence a lenient view may be\u00a0 taken\u00a0 to\u00a0 quash<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 proceedings.\u00a0 I am not inclined to extend any leniency in<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 this case.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Legally,\u00a0 leniency\u00a0 is\u00a0 no ground to invoke<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 section 482 of the code to quash proceedings.\u00a0 On\u00a0 facts,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 records\u00a0\u00a0 reveal\u00a0 that\u00a0 petitioner\u00a0 continued\u00a0 to\u00a0 harass<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 complainant even after the divorce.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a017.\u00a0 This pattern of a crime\u00a0 or\u00a0 a\u00a0 post-divorce<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 syndrome\u00a0 was evidently not within the legislative vision<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 at the time of moulding section 498A IPC.\u00a0 Concern of the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 framers did\u00a0 not\u00a0 foresee\u00a0 perhaps,\u00a0 hazard\u00a0 of\u00a0 a\u00a0 crime<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 breaking its\u00a0 way into a womans next shelter also.\u00a0 But,<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 no wrong-doer deserves to escape for want\u00a0 of\u00a0 law.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 No<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 offender shall be set free on misplaced sympathy or undue<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 leniency.\u00a0 Accused\u00a0 is\u00a0 only one side of the coin.\u00a0 Court<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 has to tilt the coin and see the other side too.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 While<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 rendering justice,\u00a0 both sides shall be viewed.\u00a0 Criminal<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 justice system cannot afford\u00a0 to\u00a0 forget\u00a0 the\u00a0 victim\u00a0 or<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 ignore her.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 A\u00a0 victim\u00a0 must be assured that the system<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 cares and feels for\u00a0 her.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 If\u00a0 any\u00a0 kind\u00a0 of\u00a0 forbidden<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 compassion\u00a0 is\u00a0 extended\u00a0 to\u00a0 an\u00a0 offender, it can give a<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 wrong signal to her.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a018.\u00a0 The law is not dead, it has only slept.\u00a0\u00a0 It<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 can\u00a0 wake\u00a0 up\u00a0 at any hour of the day and pave its way to<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 another suitable legislation in this country to check the<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 harm.\u00a0 Judicial hopes have wings; those can\u00a0 soar\u00a0 higher<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 and\u00a0 higher,\u00a0 longing\u00a0 to\u00a0 reach\u00a0 the pleasant skyline of<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 justice and fairness.\u00a0 Butler, J.\u00a0 of the U.S.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Supreme<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Court in Nice v.\u00a0 Minnesota (283 U.S.\u00a0 697) stated thus:<br \/>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Society\u00a0 could\u00a0 not\u00a0 long\u00a0 endure\u00a0\u00a0 under\u00a0\u00a0 such threats.\u00a0 If the courts\u00a0 did\u00a0 not\u00a0 protect the injured, the injured parties would then resort to\u00a0 private vengeance. Lets this not happen.<\/p>\n<p>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0This petition is dismissed.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Kerala High Court IN THE HIGH COURT OF KERALA AT ERNAKULAM Crl MC No. 8601 of 2002 1. M. ABDUL SATHAR, S\/O. ERAMULLAN,\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 &#8230;\u00a0 Petitioner&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1091,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_customify_content_layout":"","_customify_sidebar":"","_customify_page_header_display":"","_customify_disable_header":"","_customify_disable_header_top":"","_customify_disable_header_main":"","_customify_disable_header_bottom":"","_customify_disable_page_title":"","_customify_disable_content_vertical_padding":"","_customify_disable_footer_top":"","_customify_disable_footer_main":"","_customify_disable_footer_bottom":"","_customify_breadcrumb_display":"","_customify_header_transparent_display":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[65],"tags":[14061,15984,59,47557,47558,1328,12706,744,144,14728,69,13331,570,108,3814,13666,3080,115],"class_list":["post-33","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-judgments","tag-acts","tag-aneesa","tag-docs","tag-docs1","tag-docs2","tag-former-husband","tag-guilty","tag-husband","tag-ipc","tag-justice","tag-marriage","tag-petitioner","tag-quash","tag-relationship","tag-section","tag-section-198a","tag-sp","tag-wife"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1091"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/mynation.net\/docs\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}