Karnataka HC Quashes Daughter-In-Law’s Case Against Four In-Laws, Citing Vague Allegations And 3-Day Delay

Respondent No. 2, who was married to the son of accused Nos. 3 and 4, alleged that on 15 March 2023 the petitioners—her in-laws and sisters-in-law—trespassed into her home, abused her, threatened her, and assaulted her.

She lodged her complaint three days later; police registered Crime No. 11/2023, filed a charge sheet for offences under Sections 504, 506 and 323 read with Section 34 IPC, and the Magistrate took cognizance in C.C. No. 952/2023.

The petitioners sought quashing under Section 482 CrPC, arguing that the complaint was a retaliatory counterblast to a complaint by accused No. 3, which had resulted in a separate prosecution against respondent No. 2, and to proceedings initiated by accused No. 3 before the Maintenance Tribunal.

Respondent No. 2 and the State opposed the petitions, relying on the charge sheet and witness statements.

Section 482 CrPC empowers the High Court to quash criminal proceedings where their continuation would amount to an abuse of the process of the court.

The offences alleged were under Sections 504, 506 and 323 read with Section 34 IPC.

The Court applied the principle that proceedings may be quashed where, even taking the charge-sheet allegations at face value, the material does not make out the charged offences against the accused.

The Court noted the family dispute and the competing complaints between the parties.

It found that respondent No. 2’s complaint was lodged three days after the alleged incident and contained only bald and omnibus allegations, without specific averments against the petitioners.

Considering those circumstances, the Court viewed the complaint as a retaliatory counterblast.

It further held that, even if the charge-sheet material were accepted at face value, it disclosed no offence against the petitioners; continuing the prosecution would therefore constitute an abuse of process.

It quashed the proceedings against them in C.C. No. 952/2023, arising from Crime No. 11/2023, for offences under Sections 504, 506 and 323 read with Section 34 IPC.