Slapping Wife Once Not Cruelty: Gujarat High Court Acquits Husband After 23 Years

• Gujarat High Court ruled that a single slap by a husband is not 'cruelty' under IPC Section 498A.
• Husband acquitted of abetment to suicide (Section 306) and cruelty charges in a 23-year-old case.
• The court overturned a lower court's 7-year sentence, citing lack of 'mens rea' for abetment to suicide.
• Dispute stemmed from wife disliking husband playing banjo at night for extra income.
• No medical records of beatings or prior complaints were found, discrediting claims of continuous abuse.