Sir — The Supreme Court of India’s directive that an accused under Section 498A should not be arrested without thorough investigation into the genuineness of the complaint made by one claiming to be a victim of dowry harassment, is welcome.
There have been cases where the supposed victim has resorted to this provision to harass in-laws or husband on spurious grounds. But the apex court should also prescribe a time-limit for the commencement of trial in the court of a magistrate after a first information report under Section 498A is registered. The police must also complete the probe on time.
Presently, a charge-sheet is not filed by the police even six months after registration of the FIR, and the trial does not commence even after two years.