In Brief
The Supreme Court held that courts at the place where a woman takes shelter after being forced to leave her matrimonial home due to cruelty can entertain complaints under Section 498A IPC. The Court ruled that mental trauma and psychological distress from cruelty at the matrimonial home continue as consequences at the parental home, constituting repeated offences there. Section 179 of the Code of Criminal Procedure applies, granting jurisdiction where the consequences of a criminal act ensue, thereby enabling the wife to access justice at the location where she finds refuge.
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