Karnataka High Court Expands the Scope of Cruelty Under Section 498A: Live-In Partners Can Be Prosecuted
The Karnataka High Court has delivered a significant ruling with far-reaching implications on the interpretation of cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. In a judgment dated 18 November, Justice Suraj Govindaraj held that even individuals in live-in relationships , void marriages , or voidable marriages may be prosecuted for cruelty—so long as the essential ingredients of the offence are established. This decision strengthens legal protection for women in marital-like arrangements and prevents men from exploiting technicalities of marital validity to escape liability. Background of the Case A man approached the High Court seeking quashing of proceedings initiated under Section 498A by a woman he claimed was not his legally wedded wife. According to the complaint: The petitioner already had a valid subsisting marriage. He married the complainant in 2010 without disclosing his earlier marriage. The relationship continued until 2016, during which the woman al...