Punjab and Haryana High Court Slaps Fines on Two Women in Section 498A Cases: Here’s Why

The Punjab and Haryana High Court fined two women for refusing to cooperate in quashing criminal cases against their ex-husbands, despite settling their disputes and accepting alimony. Justice Sumeet Goel emphasized that bitterness should not prolong legal proceedings after a settlement.

The Court imposed costs of ₹40,000 and ₹25,000 on the women for their actions.

On May 1 and May 15, the Punjab and Haryana High Court issued orders in two cases where the accused sought to quash FIRs under Section 498A and other IPC provisions. Both cases involved matrimonial disputes that had been settled, with alimony paid. In one case, the woman failed to appear in court despite being notified, while in the other, the woman’s counsel claimed the settlement affidavit was forged.

The Court noted that both women had benefited from the compromise and received divorce decrees.

Regarding the fraud allegation, the Court stated that there was no evidence to support the claim that the affidavit was forged. The affidavit showed that the matter was settled with all the accused, and no fraud claims were raised in the Family Court about the mutual consent divorce decree.

The Court deemed continuing the FIRs an abuse of legal process, emphasizing it could not ignore attempts to misuse the law. It quashed the cases and fined the women. Last month, the Court also fined a woman ₹50,000 for not appearing before the Magistrate after settling a matrimonial dispute and accepting ₹22 lakh in alimony.

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