In Brief
The Supreme Court quashed an FIR registered against the father-in-law, mother-in-law, and sister-in-law under Sections 498-A (cruelty), 377 (unnatural acts), and 506 (criminal intimidation) read with Section 34 (common intention) of the Penal Code. The wife had complained of dowry demands and sexual harassment. The Court held that vague, general allegations without specific particulars and without showing intent to cause grave injury or suicide cannot establish a prima facie case under Section 498-A. Additionally, allegations regarding Sections 377 and 506 were made solely against the husband, not the in-laws, and thus could not justify their prosecution. The appeal was allowed and proceedings against the in-laws were quashed as an abuse of process.
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