Husband's Financial Control in Marital Disputes Does Not Constitute Cruelty: Supreme Court

PTI, NEW DELHI, JAN 2, 2025 : The Supreme Court has ruled that a husband's financial control over his estranged wife in a troubled marriage does not amount to cruelty. The Court emphasised that criminal litigation should not be used as a "gateway to settle scores and pursue personal vendettas." A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and R Mahadevan made this observation while quashing a criminal case filed by an estranged wife, who had accused her husband of cruelty and dowry harassment.

In its ruling, the bench overturned a decision by the Telangana High Court, which had refused to quash the FIR. Justice Nagarathna remarked, "The monetary and financial dominance of the accused-appellant, as alleged by the complainant-respondent No. 2, cannot qualify as an instance of cruelty, especially in the absence of any tangible mental or physical harm caused."

She noted that this situation reflects a broader trend in Indian society, where men often control household finances, but pointed out that criminal litigation should not be used as a tool for personal vengeance or score-settling. Justice Nagarathna, who authored the judgment, further explained that seeking details about the expenses of money sent by the estranged husband should not be considered an act of cruelty.