SC criticises misuse of anti-dowry legislation for 'personal vendetta'

There has been a growing tendency to use Section 498A as a tool to unleash personal vendetta against the husband and his family members SUPREME COURT

- Utkarsh Anand

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday strongly criticised the growing misuse of Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), commonly known as the anti-dowry law, noting that it is increasingly being exploited to settle "personal vendettas" or exert undue pressure on husbands and their families.

"There has been a growing tendency to use Section 498A as a tool to unleash personal vendetta against the husband and his family members," said a bench comprising justices BV Nagarathna and N Kotiswar Singh, emphasising the need for judicial scrutiny to prevent the unwarranted implication of innocent individuals.