Family

Dowry or cruelty case (498A) — filing one, or accused in one

This guide works for both sides: a woman facing cruelty or dowry demands, and family members accused in such a complaint.

What the law says

Papers that usually help

• Marriage certificate, wedding photos and invitation
  Basic background for either side.
• Messages, calls or letters showing dowry/money demands
  Direct proof of demands.
• Medical records and injury photos
  Independent proof.
• List of stridhan and gifts with photos and bills
  Supports return of stridhan.
• Names of people who saw incidents or heard demands
  Supports the account.
• FIR copy, complaint and any police notice
  Everything turns on the exact allegations.
• Proof of where each accused relative lives and works (rent, utility bills, employer letters)
  Courts look closely at general allegations against distant relatives.
• Timeline of the marriage, with dates when she lived where
  Allegations are tested against dates.
• Complete chats between spouses and families over the period
  Shows context on both sides.
• Papers in the other cases (divorce, maintenance, DV)
  Statements in one case are compared in others.
• Any written settlement terms
  Needed for quashing on settlement.

Questions Saboot will ask you

• Which side are you on?
• Are you safe right now?
• Where does it stand?
• What is alleged or what happened?
• Who is named?
• Are there other cases between the families?
• Is settlement being discussed?

Sources

• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
• Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005

Common situations

• In-laws demanding more dowry
• Want my stridhan and jewellery back from in-laws
• Falsely accused in a dowry case
• Police called me to the women’s cell
• FIR filed under 498A against my family
• Chargesheet filed in a dowry case

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