'Allegations Of General Nature': Gujarat HC Quashes FIR Against Husband's Distant Relative Accused Of Taunting Complainant For Not Bringing Dowry

The Gujarat High Court recently quashed proceedings for the offence of dowry harassment against a distant relative of the complainant's husband, observing that no specific incidents were alleged in the entire FIR and the allegation against him was purely "general in nature".

"Considering the fact that the applicant happens to be the distant relative of the husband of the complainant, it seems that the impugned order is nothing but an attempt to falsely implicate the applicant as accused just with a view to harass the applicant. The allegation against the applicant is purely of general in nature and considering the fact that the applicant stays at a different place, the registration of impugned FIR against the applicant is nothing but an abuse of process of law," Justice Nirzar Desai said.

The FIR was lodged under Sections 498A (Cruelty in matrimonial home), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 504 (Intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of peace), and 506(2) (criminal intimidation to cause death or grievous hurt) of IPC and Section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act.