Under Section 498A IPC, 'cruelty' includes:
Aany conduct that causes mild inconvenience to the wife in her marital home temporarily (cf. IPC, Section 498A (inserted 1983); Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273)
Bwilful conduct likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury to her, or harassment with a view to coercing her or her relatives for property
Cany disagreement with mother-in-law about routine household duties of any nature whatsoever (cf. IPC, Section 498A (inserted 1983); Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273)
Dany single argument with the husband during the first year of the marriage relationship (cf. IPC, Section 498A (inserted 1983); Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273)
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: B. wilful conduct likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury to her, or harassment with a view to coercing her or her relatives for property
1. Section 498A IPC was inserted by the Criminal Law (Second Amendment) Act, 1983 to deal with cruelty by husband or his relatives.
2. Explanation defines 'cruelty' as: (a) any wilful conduct of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to her life, limb or health (mental or physical); or (b) harassment with a view to coerce her or her relatives to meet any unlawful demand for property or valuable security.
3. Punishment: up to 3 years imprisonment and fine.
4. Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014) directed safeguards against routine arrests under Section 498A.
5. Hence option B is correct.
_Source: Indian Penal Code 1860 / Code of Criminal Procedure 1973 / Indian Evidence Act 1872 (Bare Acts, indiacode.nic.in) — IPC, Section 498A (inserted 1983); Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar, (2014) 8 SCC 273_
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