The Supreme Court of India has quashed a Section 498A IPC case against a woman's in-laws, urging high courts to examine possible malafides in matrimonial complaints, especially involving extended family. The case stemmed from a FIR filed by a wife three days after her husband initiated divorce proceedings 14 years into the marriage. The husband and his parents argued the FIR was a retaliatory move.

The Gujarat High Court earlier refused to quash the case, stating the allegations warranted a trial. However, the apex court bench of Justices Manoj Misra and Manmohan disagreed, noting vague accusations and absence of direct dowry demands. The court emphasized that minor taunts or routine family tensions should not be criminalized and highlighted the need for courts to prevent malicious prosecution of relatives in matrimonial disputes.

This ruling is expected to influence future cases where extended family members are implicated without substantive evidence.