The word ‘cruelty’ has been described in broad terms to include causing physical or mental harm to the body or health of the woman and indulging in acts of harassment to coerce her or her relations to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable protection. The main aim of the I.P.C section 498-A is to shield a woman who is being abused by her husband or husband’s relatives. Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code states Husband or relative of a husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty- Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be pun¬ished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. Explanation.—For this section, “cruelty” means— (a) Any willful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb, or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or (b) harassment of the woman where such harassment is to coerce her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand. The crime under Section 498A is cognizable, non-compoundable, and non-bailable.
