What is Section 498-A of Indian Penal Code?

Answer 1

A section of the dowry laws in the India Penal Codes: "IPC Section 498AWhoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

In practice, cruelty is taken to include the demanding of a dowry. This section is non-bailable, non-compoundable (i.e. it cannot be privately resolved between the parties concerned) and cognizable (i.e. the police can arrest the accused without investigation or warrants) on a report from a woman or close relative.

ANS#2:

A SECTION WHICH IS BEING MOSTLY MIS-USED

Answer 2

498A. Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty

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Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects

such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may

extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Explanation -For the purpose of this section, "cruelty" means-

(a) any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the

woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb

or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or

(b) harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to

coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand

for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or

any person related to her to meet such demand.

CLASSIFICATION OF OFFENCE

Punishment-Imprisonment for 3 years and fine-Cognizable if information relating

to the commission of the offence is given to an officer in charge of a police station

by the person aggrieved by the offence or by any person related to her by blood,

marriage or adoption or if there is no such relative, by any public servant belonging

to such class or category as may be notified by the State Government in this

behalf.

This Section is Non-bailable and Triable by Magistrate of the first class.

This Section is Noncompoundable.