The Karnataka High Court has stayed proceedings in a case involving a woman who accused her US-based husband of cruelty for allegedly preventing her from eating French fries. The Court also stayed the Look Out Notice (LOC) issued against the husband.
Justice M Nagaprasanna issued orders restraining the police from conducting any investigation against the 36-year-old husband. The man was initially charged under Sections 498A (domestic cruelty) and 504 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Dowry Prohibition Act. The LOC was issued to prevent his return to the US following the complaint.
The 29-year-old woman had approached the South Women police station in Basavanagudi, alleging dowry harassment. She claimed that after delivering a baby, her husband restricted her diet, fearing she would gain weight.
In response, the husband argued that he performed all household duties during their stay in the US while the petitioner only engaged in leisure activities. Justice M Nagaprasanna criticized the issuance of the LOC and stated that the complaint did not constitute an offense under Section 498A. He deemed the LOC a misuse of power, noting that the complaint’s purpose seemed to prevent the husband’s return to the US.
