Is asking wife to wash clothes and utensils cruelty? Bombay HC explains Section 498A

NEW DELHI: Can asking a woman to wash clothes and utensils at a relative’s house amount to cruelty under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)? The Bombay high court has held that such an act, even if the allegation is assumed to be true, does not by itself constitute cruelty under the provision. The court also quashed a criminal case against six relatives of the husband, finding that the allegations against them were vague and did not specify their individual roles.In an October 1, 2026, order, the high court said the allegations did not disclose enough grounds to continue the proceedings against the six relatives under Section 498A of the IPC.What were the allegations against the husband’s relatives?According to the court order, the woman alleged that her husband and his relatives taunted her for being unable to conceive a child and subjected her to mental and physical harassment.…