Legal Reporter: Yashwant Singh
The Supreme Court has held that the relatives of a husband cannot be subjected to criminal prosecution on the basis of sweeping and unsubstantiated allegations without specific details of their alleged acts.
A Bench comprising Justice Nongmeikapam Kotiswar Singh and Justice N.V. Anjaria set aside the proceedings against the parents-in-law in a matrimonial dispute, observing that criminal allegations must contain specific and actionable material against each accused relative.
The case arose from a complaint filed by a woman against her husband and parents-in-law, alleging dowry demands, harassment and other matrimonial grievances. The subsequent chargesheet invoked provisions relating to cruelty, criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation and other offences, along with provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
The Supreme Court noted that the allegations against the parents-in-law lacked sufficient particulars, including specific dates, occasions and material demonstrating their individual involvement.
The Court also found that the allegations concerning criminal breach of trust did not identify property specifically entrusted to the parents-in-law or its alleged dishonest misappropriation by them.Reaffirming the need for specific allegations and prima facie material, the Court quashed the remaining proceedings arising from FIR No. 152/2023 against the appellant parents-in-law.
The Court clarified that its findings were confined to the parents-in-law and would not affect the proceedings pending against the husband.
