Neighbor Cannot Be Prosecuted Under IPC 498A: Karnataka High Court Rules

• The Karnataka High Court ruled that Section 498A of the IPC cannot be extended to individuals without a familial relationship to the husband.
• Justice M Nagaprasanna delivered the decision on January 6, stating a neighbor cannot be prosecuted for cruelty in a matrimonial dispute.
• The case involved a woman accused of instigating a husband, leading to charges under IPC 498A, 504, 506, and 323.
• The court emphasized that Section 498A specifically targets cruelty by the husband or his relatives, not outsiders.
• No solid evidence was found to accuse the neighbor under Section 498A, as she is not a family member and there was no proof of her direct involvement in cruelty.

Why It Matters: Karnataka High Court clarifies IPC 498A scope: neighbors cannot be prosecuted for cruelty in marital disputes.