News for 'dowry cruelty'

Wife's parental support no excuse for husband to skip alimony: HC

Wife's parental support no excuse for husband to skip alimony: HC

Rediff.com30 Jun 2026

The Allahabad High Court has ruled that a husband's obligation to pay maintenance to his estranged wife is not negated by her parents' financial support. The court overturned a family court's decision, emphasising that parental income cannot substitute a husband's legal duty and enhanced maintenance for both the wife and children.

Twisha's mother-in-law says police haven't contacted her yet

Twisha's mother-in-law says police haven't contacted her yet

Rediff.com23 May 2026

Former judge Giribala Singh, booked in connection with her daughter-in-law's death allegedly due to dowry harassment, claims Bhopal Police have not contacted her for her statement. This comes after the Madhya Pradesh High Court issued a notice to Singh regarding her anticipatory bail and the police issued a final notice for her to record her statement.

Twisha Sharma death case: Police seek cancellation of ex-judge's bail

Twisha Sharma death case: Police seek cancellation of ex-judge's bail

Rediff.com22 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh police are seeking the cancellation of anticipatory bail for ex-judge Giribala Singh in connection with her daughter-in-law's death, allegedly due to dowry harassment. The government has also initiated a probe into whether she can continue as chairperson of the consumer court.

Nikki Bhati Case And The Dowry Trap

Nikki Bhati Case And The Dowry Trap

Rediff.com28 Aug 2025

35,493 brides were killed in India between 2017 and 2022 -- averaging nearly 20 deaths a day -- over dowry demands, sometimes occurring even years after the wedding.

Delhi HC quashes dowry FIR against family after husband's suicide

Delhi HC quashes dowry FIR against family after husband's suicide

Rediff.com9 Oct 2025

The Delhi High Court has quashed a dowry-harassment FIR lodged against the family of a man who committed suicide shortly after his wedding, citing vague allegations and abuse of process.

Twisha Sharma's family denies drug use, mental illness allegations

Twisha Sharma's family denies drug use, mental illness allegations

Rediff.com19 May 2026

The parents of model and actress Twisha Sharma, who allegedly died due to dowry harassment, have refuted claims made by her mother-in-law that she was a drug addict and suffered from mental illness. The family is demanding answers regarding Twisha's death at her marital home.

HC allows 2nd autopsy on Twisha Sharma by AIIMS team

HC allows 2nd autopsy on Twisha Sharma by AIIMS team

Rediff.com22 May 2026

The Madhya Pradesh High Court has permitted a second postmortem of Twisha Sharma, a Noida woman who allegedly died due to dowry harassment. The family sought the second autopsy citing discrepancies in the first postmortem report.

Twisha Sharma death: Court rejects 2nd autopsy plea, MP govt seeks CBI probe

Twisha Sharma death: Court rejects 2nd autopsy plea, MP govt seeks CBI probe

Rediff.com20 May 2026

Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav has announced that the state government will seek a CBI probe into the death of Twisha Sharma, a former model and actor, who was found hanging at her matrimonial residence. Her family alleges dowry harassment and fears crucial forensic evidence may be lost due to delays in securing a second autopsy and proper body preservation.

Delhi Court: Husband Can't Evade Duty To Maintain Family

Delhi Court: Husband Can't Evade Duty To Maintain Family

Rediff.com7 May 2026

A Delhi court has upheld an interim maintenance order, directing a man to pay Rs 7,500 per month to his estranged wife and minor daughter in a domestic violence case.

SC rejects Operation Sindoor excuse in dowry death case

SC rejects Operation Sindoor excuse in dowry death case

Rediff.com24 Jun 2025

Participating in Operation Sindoor doesn't give you immunity from committing atrocity at home, the Supreme Court on Tuesday said while refusing to exempt a convict from surrendering in a dowry death case of his wife.

Ajit Pawar Faces Heat Over Dowry Death

Ajit Pawar Faces Heat Over Dowry Death

Rediff.com24 May 2025

The controversy deepened after a video surfaced showing Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar at the wedding, personally handing over a Fortuner SUV and making a remark widely interpreted as normalising dowry.

Where would one go to satisfy sexual urges...: HC quashes dowry FIR

Where would one go to satisfy sexual urges...: HC quashes dowry FIR

Rediff.com12 Oct 2024

The court noted that the primary allegations centred around disagreements related to the couple's sexual relationship and the wife's refusal to engage in certain activities. It concluded that these disputes were not indicative of dowry demands and were more likely driven by personal differences.

Calling spouse bhoot, pishach not cruelty: HC

Calling spouse bhoot, pishach not cruelty: HC

Rediff.com30 Mar 2024

The Patna high court has observed that the use of 'filthy language' by an estranged couple, who call each other names like 'bhoot' (ghost) and 'pishach' (vampire), does not tantamount to 'cruelty'.

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

'Husband Can't Force Wife To Look After Parents'

Rediff.com8 Jan 2026

'Caring for one's parents is the husband's responsibility, especially if he is the earning member of the family.' 'The wife may be financially dependent on him but that does not create a legal obligation for her to serve or care for her in-laws.'

Wife calling husband dark-skinned amounts to cruelty: HC

Wife calling husband dark-skinned amounts to cruelty: HC

Rediff.com8 Aug 2023

The evidence on record, from close scrutiny, also leads to the conclusion that the wife used to insult the husband on the premise that he is dark and for the same reason has moved away from the company of the husband without any cause, the court noted.

Maha officer alleges husband put spy cameras in bedroom

Maha officer alleges husband put spy cameras in bedroom

Rediff.com23 Jul 2025

The 31-year-old woman alleged her husband, also a government employee, had installed cameras in the bathroom, too, the police said on Tuesday.

Cruelty differs for man and woman, adopt broad approach in divorce: SC to courts

Cruelty differs for man and woman, adopt broad approach in divorce: SC to courts

Rediff.com7 Sep 2023

A bench of Justices Sanjiv Khanna and MM Sundresh said the word 'cruelty' under Section 13(1)(ia) of the Hindu Marriage Act of 1955 has no fixed meaning, and therefore, gives a very wide discretion to the Court to apply it "liberally and contextually".

Kerala court convicts husband guilty in Vismaya dowry death case

Kerala court convicts husband guilty in Vismaya dowry death case

Rediff.com23 May 2022

Vismaya, 22, was found dead in the house of her husband at Sasthamkotta in Kollam district on June 21, 2021.

Nehru's gift to Baroda queen caught in marital dispute

Nehru's gift to Baroda queen caught in marital dispute

Rediff.com15 Nov 2024

A 1951 model antique hand-made classic Rolls Royce car, a single model till date valuing more than Rs 2.5 crore at present and ordered by first prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru for the erstwhile 'maharani' of Baroda, has become a major bone of contention in a matrimonial dispute in the Supreme Court.

Inconsistent decisions shake public trust, says SC; slams HC judge

Inconsistent decisions shake public trust, says SC; slams HC judge

Rediff.com30 Apr 2025

The Supreme Court of India has reprimanded a Karnataka High Court judge for passing an inconsistent verdict, highlighting the crucial importance of consistent judicial outcomes for maintaining public trust. The court emphasized that inconsistent decisions from different benches undermine faith in the judiciary and can lead to "forum shopping" and other unethical practices.

1 or 2 instances of assault do not make cruelty case: Delhi court

1 or 2 instances of assault do not make cruelty case: Delhi court

Rediff.com13 Apr 2015

"One or two instances of physical assault," even if found to be true, cannot make for a case of cruelty for the purpose of satisfying unlawful demand, a Delhi court has observed, while discharging the in-laws of a woman in a dowry harassment case.

Maharashtra governor's ADC booked for cruelty

Maharashtra governor's ADC booked for cruelty

Rediff.com7 Nov 2004

Deepak Pandey was booked by Azad Maidan police station in Mumbai with charges of subjecting his wife Nidhi Pandey, an IAS officer, to cruelty (section 498-A, IPC) and criminal intimidation (section 506, IPC).

FIR against 'Godwoman' Radhe Maa over dowry demand

FIR against 'Godwoman' Radhe Maa over dowry demand

Rediff.com6 Aug 2015

An FIR was registered against self-styled godwoman Radhe Maa after a woman accused her of instigating her in-laws, who are her followers, to demand dowry.

'Beat me up after...': Atul Subhash's wife in police complaint

'Beat me up after...': Atul Subhash's wife in police complaint

Rediff.com12 Dec 2024

Nikita said she got married to Subhash on April 26, 2019. She alleged that after marriage her husband and in-laws were dissatisfied with what her parents gave them during the wedding and demanded Rs 10 lakh more.

You worship goddesses, yet...: SC slams man for abandoning wife, daughters

You worship goddesses, yet...: SC slams man for abandoning wife, daughters

Rediff.com25 Jan 2025

The Supreme Court of India harshly criticized a man for abandoning his wife and minor daughters, calling his actions "cruel" and questioning his humanity. The court demanded the man provide financial support to his family, including his daughters, before it would consider any favorable orders in his case. The man had previously been convicted of domestic abuse and fraudulently removing his wife's uterus. The court's strong stance highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence and the need for legal protection for women and children in India.

Why did Kerala governor fast against dowry?

Why did Kerala governor fast against dowry?

Rediff.com15 Jul 2021

'What we see today is bargaining.' 'The man's family sets a price for him and then they start bargaining.' 'He is sold to the family that offers the highest price.' 'In this market, a woman is just a commodity to be sold because if she remained at home, it is a humiliation for the family.'

Crossing all limits: ED faces SC scrutiny for misuse of powers

Crossing all limits: ED faces SC scrutiny for misuse of powers

Rediff.com23 May 2025

The Supreme Court of India has repeatedly criticized the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for exceeding its authority and misusing its powers. The latest rebuke came on Thursday, when the court accused the agency of 'crossing all limits' in a money laundering probe against a Tamil Nadu state-run liquor retailer. This follows a string of similar observations by the Supreme Court and high courts across India, raising concerns about the ED's investigative practices and the potential for misuse of its powers.

BSP MP arrested along with wife, son in dowry death case

BSP MP arrested along with wife, son in dowry death case

Rediff.com7 Apr 2016

The daughter-in-law of BSP Rajya Sabha member Narendra Kashyap was on Wednesday found dead inside the bathroom of their house in Sanjay Nagar in mysterious circumstances.

National Kabaddi player's wife commits suicide, alleges harassment, dowry

National Kabaddi player's wife commits suicide, alleges harassment, dowry

Rediff.com19 Oct 2016

In a long video message and a suicide note, Lalita has accused her in-laws and husband of "mental and physical harassment" over several issues, including dowry and her past.

Judge demanded Rs 5L to 'settle case': B'gluru techie's father

Judge demanded Rs 5L to 'settle case': B'gluru techie's father

Rediff.com13 Dec 2024

"My son used to say that there is a lot of corruption but he will fight as he is on the path of truth. He was broken from inside, though he didn't tell anyone anything," Subhash's father Pawan Kumar told ANI.

Why we don't read about dowry deaths any more

Why we don't read about dowry deaths any more

Rediff.com12 Sep 2016

'The media, particularly the national media and especially the English media, do not report these stories any longer.' 'They have no interest in crime or human interest stories that do not concern the wealthy,' says Aakar Patel.

Man can't be charged if wife isn't minor: HC on 'marital rape'

Man can't be charged if wife isn't minor: HC on 'marital rape'

Rediff.com10 Dec 2023

The Allahabad high court has observed that 'protection of a person' from being charged in 'marital rape continues in cases where the wife is of 18 years of age or more'.

SC modifies order, removes buffer against immediate arrests in dowry cases

SC modifies order, removes buffer against immediate arrests in dowry cases

Rediff.com14 Sep 2018

The top court said the direction to create family welfare committees in every district and the power conferred in them was 'not in accord with the statutory framework'.

1,000 Cases Of Violence Against Women Daily

1,000 Cases Of Violence Against Women Daily

Rediff.com18 Dec 2023

Cruelty by the husband (or his relatives) accounted for about 40 per cent of these cases. Delhi reported the highest number of cases of crimes against women (12,552) followed by Mumbai with over 5,000 cases.

Greater disaffection surrounding institution of marriage now: SC

Greater disaffection surrounding institution of marriage now: SC

Rediff.com8 Feb 2022

Section 498-A of the IPC deals with the offence of subjecting a woman to cruelty by the husband or his relatives.

Delhi most unsafe for women, 2 minors raped every day last yr: NCRB

Delhi most unsafe for women, 2 minors raped every day last yr: NCRB

Rediff.com30 Aug 2022

Two minor girls were raped every day last year in New Delhi, which was the most unsafe metropolitan city for women across the country, according to the latest report of National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).

Court found insufficient material against Tharoor in Sunanda suicide case

Court found insufficient material against Tharoor in Sunanda suicide case

Rediff.com19 Aug 2021

"In the present case, it cannot be said that the accused had ever intended or acted in such a manner which under normal circumstances would drive the deceased to commit suicide," special judge Geetanjali Goel said in the detailed order that discharged Tharoor.

Wife's family rules out Sunanda suicide: Tharoor

Wife's family rules out Sunanda suicide: Tharoor

Rediff.com26 Mar 2021

Tharoor had earlier said post mortem and other medical reports have allegedly established that it was neither a suicide nor homicide.

With 40 per cent of rape cases, Delhi is the most unsafe city for women

With 40 per cent of rape cases, Delhi is the most unsafe city for women

Rediff.com7 Dec 2017

The national capital also reported 38.8 per cent of the total number of crimes under the Indian Penal Code.

Delhi sees 40% rise in rape and harassment cases

Delhi sees 40% rise in rape and harassment cases

Rediff.com6 Jul 2021

The number of cases of insult to the modesty of women, kidnapping of women, abduction of women, cruelty by husband and in-laws and dowry death stand at 197, 1,580, 159, 1,712 and 56, respectively, it said.