Hi,
lemme explain my case in detail.
my marriage was a typical arranged marriage where the monetary gifts and gold gifts are discussed and decided before the marriage itself.
My FIL had gifted me
8L cash
Gold Chain
Gold Bracelet
30 tulas of jewellery to my wife
TV
Fridge
Washing M/C
AC
Double cot Bed
Almairah
Dresssing Table
and other household articles
now, when wife filed 498A and DV, she mentioned that they had given me
10L cash
Gold Chain
Gold Bracelet
35 tulas of jewellery to my wife which is all with her
TV
Fridge
Washing M/C
AC
Double cot Bed
Almairah
Dresssing Table
Sofaset
Dining Table
and other household articles
I had no intention to keep anything of hers with me and am willing to return her everything. However, I wanted to be safe in my 498A an on my lawyers advice, also because her claims were exaggerated, I completed denied being given anything at all in 498A and DV.
Now, she has submitted her father's bank statements to prove that 10L cash was indeed withdrawn, reciepts for 35 tulas of her jewellery, my gold chain and my gold bracelet, and recipts for all other household articles except for sofaset and dining table (she said she has misplaced the reciepts for these 2). she also presented the photos and videos of she wearing her jewellery and they giving me the chain and bracelet. She has also presented the witnesses and they are saying the exact same things...
also, she has claimed that she had given me 5L from her earnings when we ived together whereas the fact is she had only given me 50K once. but I had completely denied this allegation too and said she never gave me anything. She has submitted her bank statement with NEFT transaction of 50K as a proof. she is saying the reamining 4.5L was given in cash and hence no such proof.
My lawyer, is saying that I can go back and change my statement stating the facts, but I have already lost my credibility and hence the judge is not going to believe me and this case is sure to go completely in my wife's favor. He says that with this, I am also sure to get convicted in 498A so I better go for out-of-court settlement and give them what they want.
but they are asking for 15L for out-of-court settlement in addition to the actual streedhan. is my lawyer right? do I really have no other option?
is this really sufficient to get me and my parents convicted in 498A ? doesnt she also have to prove that she was actually "harassed".
I want to get out of this mess as soon as possible. Please advice.