Cruelty by Husband or Relatives
Overview
Section 84 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (which replaces the former Section 498A IPC) criminalizes cruelty committed by a husband or his relatives against a wife.
The provision was enacted primarily to address dowry-related harassment and cruelty.
Gender-Specific Nature
The law applies only to:
- Husband
- Husband's relatives
The complainant is the wife.
A husband cannot file a reciprocal complaint against a wife under this section.
Criticism
People argue that:
- The offence is not gender-neutral.
- Similar conduct by a wife is not covered by an equivalent provision.
- False complaints may cause significant hardship even if the accused is later acquitted.