mental harassment for dowry
weettute
(Querist) 09 January 2009
This query is : Resolved
Can an unvisible mental harassment by inlaws and husband to a newly wedded girl for dowry be complained for redressal and punishement to the offenders. What is the procedure and how long it takes to settle the issue. Whether the inlaws against whom the compalaint is lodged can sue the complainant if they are not found guildy due to insufficient evidence or due to their resourcefulness.
G. ARAVINTHAN
(Expert) 09 January 2009
Invisible Mental Harassment.. Can you give an example?
PALNITKAR V.V.
(Expert) 09 January 2009
I presume that you mean to say that the girl is mentally harassed by the inlaws. Sec 498A of IPC lays down that if the mental harassment is of such a nature as drive a woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand, then the inlaws can be prosecuted. Domestic Violence Act will also apply depending upon the facts and circumstances. It is difficult to say how much time it will take to settle the issues because it depends on so many circumstances.
About the second limb of your query, merely because an accused is acquitted, he can not get damages. It has to be proved that the prosecution was malicious.
