Vague allegations in matrimonial disputes can amount to abuse of legal processes; specific details are essential for prosecution under IPC and Dowry Prohibition Act.

ORDER :

This Criminal Petition is filed under Section 482 of Cr.P.C. by the petitioners-accused Nos.1 to 3 seeking to quash the proceedings against them in C.C.No.2752 of 2023 pending on the file of the learned IX Additional Metropolitan Magistrate at Medchal (for short ‘trial Court’), registered for the offences under Sections 498-A, 420 and 506 of the Indian Penal Code (for short ‘IPC’) and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (for short ‘the Act’).

2. Heard Mr. M.S.Prasad, learned Senior Counsel representing Mr. CH.Srikanth, learned counsel for the petitioners and Mr. M.Ramachandra Reddy, learned Additional Public Prosecutor appearing for respondent No.1-State. Inspite of the conditional order passed by this Court on 22.12.2025, learned counsel for respondent No.2-de facto complainant failed to appear before this Court and argue the matter. Hence, the learned Additional Public Prosecutor is heard on behalf of respondent No.2, and orders are passed on merits. Perused the record.

3. Brief facts of the case:

3.1. The petitioner-accused No.1 is the husband of the de facto complainant, and petitioners-accused Nos.2 and 3 are the father and mother of petitioner-accused No.1 respectively.

3.2. The marriage between petitioner-accused No.1 and de facto complainant was solemnized on 17.08.2022. At the time of marriage, certain amount of dowry was given. It is alleged that the petitioners- accused Nos.1 to 3 further demanded a vaddanam, however, the parents of the de facto complainant expressed their inability to meet the said demand.

3.3. After the marriage, the de facto complainant joined the company of petitioner-accused No.1 at her matrimonial home. During her stay in India from 18.08.2022 to 09.09.2022 i.e., for about 22 days, the petitioners subjected her to mental harassment by stating that it was the duty of her parents to give more dowry to the petitioner-accused No.1 and that if they had opted for another alliance, they would not have received less than 1 crore rupees as dowry.

3.4. On 21.08.2022, when the nuptial ceremony was performed, and even during their honeymoon in Maldives, petitioner-accused No.1 did not make any advances towards conjugal life. The de facto complainant did not take the same seriously, believing that things would improve after they shifted to USA. Thereafter, they moved to USA, where the petitioner-accused No.1 forced her to take up a second job to earn more money. When she refused on the ground that it was illegal, he abused and slapped her.

3.5. The petitioner-accused No.1 neglected the de facto complainant and the household and was involved in fraudulent activities in his business. When the de facto complainant questioned him regarding the same, he abused and beat her. He has also forced her to purchase a house by taking loan and using her personal savings. He used to avoid her frequently, pick up quarrels without any reason during late evenings, and sleep in another room.

3.6. The petitioner-accused No.1 used to consume testosterone tablets, however, he was never successful. Though the de facto complainant conceived once, her pregnancy was terminated due to absence of foetal heartbeat. Subsequently, on her insistence, the petitioner-accused No.1 underwent pathology tests, which revealed that he was suffering from diabetes, abnormal cholesterol levels, low testosterone, and low sex hormone binding globulin. The Doctor opined that he was unfit for family life and incapable of procreation.

3.7. When the de facto complainant questioned him regarding the medical opinion, petitioner-accused No.1 abused and beat her, and petitioners-accused Nos.2 and 3 threate