MISUSE OF SECTION 498A OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE. AN ANALYSIS OF ITS IMPACT ON MEN’S RIGHTS AND THE NEED FOR JUDICIAL REFORMS

AUTHOR – ANOUSHKA SINGH* & DR AISHWARYA PANDEY**

* STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW CAMPUS

** ASSISTANT PROFESSOR AT AMITY UNIVERSITY UTTAR PRADESH LUCKNOW CAMPUS

BEST CITATION – ANOUSHKA SINGH & DR AISHWARYA PANDEY, MISUSE OF SECTION 498A OF THE INDIAN PENAL CODE. AN ANALYSIS OF ITS IMPACT ON MEN’S RIGHTS AND THE NEED FOR JUDICIAL REFORMS, ILE MULTIDISCIPLINARY JOURNAL, 4 (2) OF 2025, PG. 36-40, APIS – 3920-0007 | ISSN – 2583-7230.

Abstract

The need for Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), which was constituted in 1983, arose due to abuse against married women by their husbands and in-laws. There have been allegations of misuse since the very beginning. It is argued that Section 498A, being cognizable and non-bailable, is misused by some women in an act of revenge or coercion.

 This study attempts to show the extent and manner of such misuse, its impact upon men’s rights and families, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the safeguards provided by law. In light of case laws, statistics, and scholarly opinions, the study argues for the necessity of reforming the law in such a way as to protect genuine victims from the law’s misuse. The paper concludes with discussions on the recommendations and policies to restore justice and sanctity in matrimonial disputes in India.

Keywords: Section 498A, IPC, men’s rights, judicial reforms, false cases, gender justice, matrimonial disputes