In Brief
A husband challenged the summoning of his parents and siblings in a dowry-cruelty case under Section 498A IPC. The Court held that omnibus allegations against all family members without specific verifiable evidence of their individual participation constitute misuse of the provision. While Section 498A protects women from cruelty, innocent family members cannot be arrested on vague accusations. The Court issued landmark directions to prevent abuse: establish Family Welfare Committees to screen complaints before arrest, require designated trained investigating officers, permit judicial closure where genuine settlement occurs, and exempt outstation members from personal appearance. These safeguards aim to curb systematic misuse while preserving legitimate prosecutions.
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