SC flags misuse of Section 498A, Domestic Violence Act

The Supreme Court on Wednesday observed that Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which deals with cruelty to married women, and provisions under the Domestic Violence Act, are among the most misused laws in India.

The observation came from a Bench led by Justice B R Gavai, accompanied by Justices Prashant Kumar Mishra and K V Vishwanathan, during a hearing on a matrimonial dispute concerning maintenance.

"In such matters, getting freedom is the best thing," Justice Gavai remarked, reflecting on the emotional and financial toll of matrimonial disputes. He recounted a case where a man was compelled to pay Rs 50 lakh to his estranged wife despite the couple never living together after marriage.