Omnibus dowry allegations don't merit prosecution: SC

Asks Courts To Be Careful With 498A Plaints

- AmitAnand.Choudhary

New Delhi: Citing misuse of penal provisions for dowry harassment to settle personal scores by dragging in-laws and other relatives into criminal proceedings, the Supreme Co- urt on Tuesday held that general and omnibus allegations cannot be a ground for prosecution and asked courts to be careful and cautious in dealing with such complaints.

A bench of Justices S Abdul Nazeer and Krishna Murari said the SC in its numerous judgments had expressed concern and warned courts not to proceed against relatives of the husband when no prima facie case is made out against them. The court passed the order while quashing criminal proceedings lodged by a woman in Bihar against her husband and in-laws. As the husband, who was also made an accused did not challenge the FIR, the court refrained from dealing with the allegations against him and granted relief to his five relatives.