Question

Under Section 498A, the ‘Cruelty’ means and includes:

• A. Only demand of dowry
• B. Only physical torture
• C. Both mental and physical torture
• D. None of the above

Hint:

Under Section 498A IPC, cruelty includes both mental and physical abuse, and dowry harassment is only one form of it.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Step 1: Understanding Section 498A IPC:
Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code deals with cruelty by a husband or his relatives towards a married woman. It was enacted to protect women from domestic violence, harassment, and dowry-related cruelty.
Step 2: Definition of Cruelty:
According to the section, cruelty includes:
1. Any willful conduct that is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or cause grave injury to her life, limb, or health (mental or physical).
2. Harassment of the woman by her husband or his relatives for unlawful demands of property or valuable security (dowry).
Step 3: Analysis of Options:
- (A) Only demand of dowry: Incorrect, as cruelty is broader than just dowry-related harassment.
- (B) Only physical torture: Incorrect, since mental cruelty also falls within the definition.
- (C) Both mental and physical torture: Correct, as cruelty includes both mental and physical forms of harassment or abuse.
- (D) None of the above: Incorrect, since the law explicitly recognizes both forms.
Step 4: Final Conclusion:
The correct answer is (C) Both mental and physical torture, as defined under Section 498A IPC.