Supreme Court Reaffirms Safeguards Against Section 498A Misuse
Why in the news
On 18 September 2025 the Supreme Court of India reaffirmed measures meant to prevent the misuse of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, in the case Shivangi Bansal vs Sahib Bansal.
Key facts
- The Court reaffirmed earlier guidelines laid down by the Allahabad High Court.
- A two-month cooling period applies before any coercive action in matrimonial disputes.
- Complaints are referred to a Family Welfare Committee (FWC).
- Courts have noted increasing misuse of the provision to file false complaints.
| NCRB measure | 2015 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|
| Section 498A offences | 113,403 | 140,019 |
| Arrests | 187,067 | 145,095 |
About Section 498A
Section 498A of the IPC deals with cruelty against women by husbands or their families, and aims to protect women from matrimonial harassment. Earlier safeguards include the Lalita Kumari ruling on preliminary inquiry, the Arnesh Kumar judgment (2014) and Satender Kumar Antil (2022) on bail.
Exam angle
- Remember the case name, the two-month cooling period and the FWC.
- Arnesh Kumar (2014) is a frequently cited precedent on arrests.
- Section 498A concerns cruelty by husband or relatives.