Supreme Court Invokes Article 142 to Quash False 498A Case Filed by Woman Officer, Citing Misuse of Legal Process and Lack of Evidence.
In a landmark ruling with far-reaching implications, the Supreme Court of India has quashed a criminal case under Section 498A IPC filed by a woman police officer against her husband, his aged parents, and five sisters. The Court delivered this significant judgment while exercising its criminal appellate jurisdiction under Article 142 of the Constitution.
While noting that the question of limitation under Section 468 CrPC does not apply due to the nature of the complaint, the Court emphasized that the factual matrix did not justify proceeding with trial. Observing that the complainant failed to challenge the final divorce decree and considering the time elapsed since 1999, the Court found no prima facie case made out.
In paragraph 19, the Bench exercised its extraordinary powers under Article 142 to quash FIR No. 1098/2002 and the corresponding charge-sheet, declaring:
“In the interest of justice, and in exercise of our powers under Article 142 we deem it fit and appropriate to quash and set aside the FIR and charge-sheet.”
The appeals were allowed and the case brought to a close.
