Supreme Court says not speaking to wife does not amount to cruelty

In an interesting observation, the Supreme Court has said that mere refusal to speak to the wife does not amount to cruelty. A lady had filed a case against her husband under the draconian provisions of Section 498 A stating that her husband had not spoken to her for 20 days despite her best efforts.

She said after her marriage, she had stayed with her husband for 20 days. However she was left completely alone and none spoke with her. She said that her husband was avoiding her and refusing to consummate the marriage. She then approached the Cyberabad police and filed a complaint.

The husband and his parents then moved the High Court at Hyderabad. The HC rejected their plea following an appeal in the Supreme Court was preferred. The SC Bench comprising Justices Arun Mishra and Mohan Shanthangoudar held that the wife's complaint under Section 498 A of the Indian Penal Code would not stand. No offence has been made under the section, the Bench also held.