Section 498A: Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty

Now in the BNS

As given in the correspondence table of the National Crime Records Bureau (Ministry of Home Affairs). Read both texts before relying on it. NCRB table

Leading cases

• Paparambaka Rosamma v. State of Andhra Pradesh (1999)The Court set aside convictions under Sections 498-A and 302 IPC that rested only on a dying declaration, because the doctor certified only that the injured was conscious, not that she was in a fit state of mind.
• Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014)Police must not arrest automatically for offences punishable with up to seven years; they must record why arrest is necessary under Section 41 CrPC, and Magistrates must scrutinise those reasons before authorising detention.

Questions on this section

9 questions in 20 of our papers cite Section 498A. Try these from the free papers:

1. 1. The maximum punishment under Section 85 of the BNS for a husband or relative of the husband who subjects a woman to cruelty is imprisonment for a term which may extend to

   A.seven years, and fineB.five years, and fineC.two years, or fine, or bothD.three years, and fine
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2. 2. With reference to the conclusions of the Supreme Court in Dr. Lokesh B.H. v. State of Karnataka (3 August 2026), consider the following statements: 1. The live-in relationships protected by Section 498A IPC are those between two consenting adult individuals. 2. The extended meaning given to the word 'husband' applies equally to every other provision of the Indian Penal Code that refers to a husband. 3. The initial burden of proving the intent to marry lies on the female partner who seeks the protection of the provision. 4. No partner in a relationship in the nature of marriage accused of cruelty is to be arrested without preliminary enquiries, and the Arnesh Kumar safeguards apply strictly. Which of the statements given above are correct?

   A.1, 2, 3 and 4B.1, 3 and 4 onlyC.2, 3 and 4 onlyD.1 and 2 only
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3. 3. Under Section 5 of the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, a police officer, Protection Officer, service provider or Magistrate who receives a complaint of domestic violence shall inform the aggrieved person of: 1. her right to apply for a protection order, monetary relief, custody order, residence order or compensation order. 2. her right to free legal services under the Legal Services Authorities Act, 1987. 3. her right to file a complaint under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, wherever relevant. 4. her right to interim compensation from the State Government's victim compensation fund. Which of the above are listed in Section 5?

   A.1, 2 and 3 onlyB.2, 3 and 4 onlyC.1, 2, 3 and 4D.1 and 2 only
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