Following matrimonial settlement, omnibus allegations lacking offence ingredients cannot sustain prosecution against in-laws.

The petitioners, accused Nos. 2 to 4 and relatives of the complainant’s husband, sought to quash proceedings in Criminal Case No. 60 of 2023 arising from Crime No. 102 of 2022.

The charge-sheet alleged offences under Sections 323, 498A, 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The husband’s separate quashing petition had been allowed on 29 June 2026.

The spouses had divorced, and the husband had paid Rs. 4,00,000 as permanent alimony; the complainant filed a memo confirming receipt.

The State and complainant opposed quashing, arguing that material remained against the petitioners.

The petition was brought under Section 482 of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973, seeking to quash the criminal proceedings.

The alleged offences arose under Sections 323, 498A, 504 and 506 read with Section 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

The court applied the principle that proceedings may be quashed where the allegations do not disclose the ingredients of the alleged offences and their continuation would amount to an abuse of the process of law.

The court found that the charge-sheet contained only general and omnibus allegations against the petitioners and did not make out the ingredients of the alleged offences.

It also considered the matrimonial settlement, the payment and acknowledged receipt of permanent alimony, and the prior quashing of proceedings against the husband.

On those circumstances, the court concluded that continuing the case against the petitioners would constitute an abuse of process.

It quashed the proceedings in Criminal Case No. 60 of 2023 for the petitioners/accused Nos. 2 to 4; pending interlocutory applications, if any, were dismissed.