Complaints by a spouse to public authorities do not per se constitute Cruelty

Supreme Court in the matter of Raj Talreja Vs Kavita Talreja; Civil Appeal no. 10719/2013 held that mere filing of complaints against the spouse is not cruelty, if there are justifiable reasons to file the Complaint. Merely because no action is taken on the complaint or after trial the accused is acquitted may not be a ground to treat such accusations of the wife as cruelty within the meaning of Hindu Marriage Act 1955. However, if it is found that the allegations are patently false, then there can be no manner of doubt that the said conduct of a spouse levelling false accusations against other spouse would be an act of cruelty.