NEW DELHI: Can a married man in a live-in relationship be prosecuted for dowry harassment on the complaint of a woman with whom he was in an extra-marital affair, even though the law specifies that only a wife can make such a complaint against her husband and his relatives?A Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh on Friday entertained an appeal by a doctor, Lokesh B H, challenging a Karnataka HC order rejecting his plea for quashing prosecution launched against him based on a complaint filed by his alleged live-in partner. The bench said, “The pertinent question that arises for consideration in this petition is whether a man, who is in a live-in relationship in the nature of marriage with a woman, can be prosecuted for having committed an offence under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or its corresponding section in the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.”SC sought a response from govt on the issue and requested additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati to assist the court. It also appointed advocate Nina Nariman as amicus curiae. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Sanjay Nuli said the HC erred in interpreting that rigour of Section 498A applies even to a live-in relationship, even though the definition under the IPC section envisages action against the husband by the wife. Section 498A provides that “whoever being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall be liable to fine”. Under it, cruelty includes dowry demands, and coercion and ill treatment.In the current case, Lokesh – a cardiologist – was married to Naveena in Feb 2000. It was alleged by another woman, Teertha, that she got married to Lokesh in 2010. In 2015, Teertha lodged several complaints with police against Lokesh, his mother, sister and a cousin, but these were closed. In 2016, Teertha lodged a complaint accusing Lokesh of attempting to burn her while demanding dowry, even though Lokesh’s employer certified that on the day of the alleged incident, he was at his workplace – a hospital. She later lodged a domestic violence case against him. Lokesh filed a suit before a family court at Bengaluru seeking a declaration that there was no marital relationship between him and Teertha, which is still pending adjudication. In 2023, the police filed chargesheet against Lokesh for allegedly attempting to burn Teertha and demaning dowry. He challenged this before the HC which dismissed it. End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosPM Modi Says India Pushes Reforms With Conviction, Not Compulsion; Poised To Drive Global Growth’Symbols Of British Empire’: PM Modi On North & South Block In 1st Address From Seva Teerth’Umar Bhar Yahi Bhool’: Yogi Adityanath Quotes Mirza Ghalib In UP Assembly To Target SP’s RecordBNP Demands Sheikh Hasina’s Extradition From India After Bangladesh Poll WinCongress Demands Union Minister Hardeep Puri Resignation Over Alleged Jeffrey Epstein Links RowPM Modi Speaks To BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Congratulates On ‘Remarkable’ Bangladesh Poll Win6-Year-Old Dead, 5 Injured As Speeding Car Hits Pedestrians On Busy Lucknow Road; CCTV Shows HorrorKiren Rijiju Explains Why Modi Govt Paused Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi After Dubey’s MoveTarique Rahman’s BNP Heads For Landslide In Bangladesh Election, Rivals Cry FoulPM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital Delhi123PhotostoriesTop 5 real estate hotspots in Noida to watch in 2026Exclusive: Krushna Abhishek reacts to Sunita Ahuja’s allegations against mama Govinda, talks about Laughter Chefs 3’s success and working on The Great Indian Kapil ShowGalentine’s Day special: Iconic female friendships in Bollywood that define sisterhood6 Vastu mistakes that are silently blocking wealth in your home (don’t ignore number 4)5 national parks in India that are excellent for birdwatchingLove, in different landscapes: Hills, islands and desert skiesSeva Teerth opens doors: PM Modi launches new PMO complex in New Delhi – see picsAbs don’t equal healthy arteries: Doctor explains why appearance isn’t a health report card5 key features that make adventure bikes perfect for long-distance touring5 ways to remove pesticides from grapes and strawberries, tips for storage, and easy dishes123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingPatrick MahomesBad BunnyJosh MorrisseyJutta LeerdamAuston MatthewsKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChris PaulDarron LeeKyle Busch Net Worth
NEW DELHI: Can a married man in a live-in relationship be prosecuted for dowry harassment on the complaint of a woman with whom he was in an extra-marital affair, even though the law specifies that only a wife can make such a complaint against her husband and his relatives?A Supreme Court bench of Justices Sanjay Karol and N K Singh on Friday entertained an appeal by a doctor, Lokesh B H, challenging a Karnataka HC order rejecting his plea for quashing prosecution launched against him based on a complaint filed by his alleged live-in partner. The bench said, “The pertinent question that arises for consideration in this petition is whether a man, who is in a live-in relationship in the nature of marriage with a woman, can be prosecuted for having committed an offence under Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) or its corresponding section in the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita.”SC sought a response from govt on the issue and requested additional solicitor general Aishwarya Bhati to assist the court. It also appointed advocate Nina Nariman as amicus curiae. Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Sanjay Nuli said the HC erred in interpreting that rigour of Section 498A applies even to a live-in relationship, even though the definition under the IPC section envisages action against the husband by the wife. Section 498A provides that “whoever being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall be liable to fine”. Under it, cruelty includes dowry demands, and coercion and ill treatment.In the current case, Lokesh – a cardiologist – was married to Naveena in Feb 2000. It was alleged by another woman, Teertha, that she got married to Lokesh in 2010. In 2015, Teertha lodged several complaints with police against Lokesh, his mother, sister and a cousin, but these were closed. In 2016, Teertha lodged a complaint accusing Lokesh of attempting to burn her while demanding dowry, even though Lokesh’s employer certified that on the day of the alleged incident, he was at his workplace – a hospital. She later lodged a domestic violence case against him. Lokesh filed a suit before a family court at Bengaluru seeking a declaration that there was no marital relationship between him and Teertha, which is still pending adjudication. In 2023, the police filed chargesheet against Lokesh for allegedly attempting to burn Teertha and demaning dowry. He challenged this before the HC which dismissed it.
