In a recent judgement, the Madhya Pradesh High Court, Gwalior Bench quashed the FIR filed by a wife against her in-laws under Section 498-A IPC, observing that the same was filed ‘to wreak vengeance’ and ‘with a revengeful intent in order to pressurize and harass’ her in-laws.

Justice R.K. Shrivastava was dealing with an application under Section 482 CrPC moved by the Applicants seeking directions of the Court to quash the FIR registered against them for offences punishable under Section 498A, 506, 34 IPC and the consequential criminal proceedings against them.

As per the Applicants, the Respondent was a quarrelsome woman who could not adjust with the family of the Applicants after marriage. Resultantly, the Applicant/husband had filed an application for divorce. The father-in-law of the Respondent had also filed a complaint against the her for offences under Section 406, 504 IPC, prior to the registration of the impugned FIR. Therefore, in order to seek revenge against the Applicants, the Respondent lodged an FIR against them and therefore, the Applicants asserted, the same being without substance was liable to be quashed. To strengthen their contentions, the Applicants relied on the observations of the Apex Court in the recently decided case of Kahkashan Kausar alias Sonam & Ors. v. State of Bihar & Ors.

Considering the submissions of the parties, documents on record and further examining the observations of the Supreme Court in relevant cases, the Court observed that the present application deserved to be allowed.

Accordingly, the Court quashed the FIR against the Applicants along with the other subsequent proceedings initiated therefrom and accordingly, the application was allowed.

Case Title: Alok Lodhi & Ors. Vs. State of MP & Anr.