In an order dated 29 August 2025, an Additional Sessions Judge at the Dwarka Court, Delhi, set aside a July 2023 judgment of a magistrate that had convicted a husband and a member of his family of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. They had been sentenced to one year's imprisonment and a fine of ₹50,000. Advocate Pravesh Dabas appeared for the appellants.

What the court considered

  • Delay. The complainant said the ill-treatment began on the day of the marriage in 2003, but the complaint was made about two years after the last alleged incident. The court noted that the complainant was educated and independent and found the delay unexplained.
  • Conduct inconsistent with the allegations. The court said the complainant's conduct did not match the allegations, including an allegation about a threat to a six-day-old child that had not been reported at the time, and repeated attempts at reconciliation by her and her family.
  • Interested witnesses. The allegations were supported mainly by close relatives. The court said such evidence must be scrutinised carefully, and it gave weight to an independent witness who had been involved in reconciliation efforts but knew of no dowry demand.
  • The legal test. The court reiterated that cruelty under Section 498A requires wilful conduct of a kind likely to drive a woman to suicide or cause grave injury, or harassment linked to unlawful demands. It found the allegations in the FIR did not disclose such cruelty, and those against the relative were "vague and omnibus".

The court set aside the conviction and acquitted both appellants. Several reports described the court as calling the case a "classic example of misuse" of Section 498A.

Where it was reported

  • The Times of India — "'Classic case of misuse': Court sets aside conviction in domestic cruelty case" (print and online, 4 September 2025)
  • The Indian Express — "'No mother would risk safety of her child for marriage': Delhi court sets aside husband's conviction in cruelty case"
  • Hindustan Times — "Delhi court acquits man, father in cruelty case lodged by wife"
  • PTI, carried by The Week and News Drum — "Court acquits woman's husband, brother-in-law in cruelty case" (3 September 2025)
  • ThePrint (Hindi), IBC24 and Amar Ujala — Hindi reports of the same order

Some reports differ on details such as which relative was the co-accused, and one spells the advocate's name "Parvesh".