Supreme Court Quashes FIR in Marriage Fraud Case: What It Means for Matrimonial Disputes in India. ipc 420
What It Means for Matrimonial Disputes in India Introduction In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India recently quashed an FIR filed by a woman who alleged that her husband misrepresented his employment status to induce her into marriage. The apex court held that while the allegations may suggest a matrimonial dispute, they do not warrant criminal prosecution under IPC sections related to cheating or fraud. This judgment once again brings into focus how courts differentiate between civil/matrimonial issues and criminal offences. Background of the Case The woman, in her complaint, claimed that her husband lied about his job status, portraying himself as a government employee to impress her and her family. She alleged that after marriage, she discovered the truth and felt deceived. Based on this, she filed an FIR under sections related to cheating (Section 420 IPC) and criminal breach of trust (Section 406 IPC). The husband approached the High Court to quash th...