Delhi court: No CCTV, medical proof needed to frame charges in cruelty case

A Delhi court has ruled that lack of CCTV footage, eyewitnesses, or medical evidence is not sufficient ground to discharge a man accused of cruelty and dowry harassment. Additional Sessions Judge Parveen Singh dismissed a revision petition by Sunil Sharma, who challenged an order framing charges against him under the Dowry Prohibition Act and cruelty provisions of the Indian Penal Code.

The court said offences under the cruelty law are committed within the four walls of a house and eyewitnesses are often unavailable. It held that at the stage of framing charges, the veracity of the complainant's statement need not be tested against corroborative evidence. Sharma's wife had alleged she was beaten and harassed for dowry soon after their marriage in December 2015. The court noted the complaint contained specific dates and allegations, including attempted burning in March 2018.

Sharma argued the allegations were vague and the case was a counterblast to divorce proceedings. The court rejected the argument, saying the trial court's order was a speaking order that considered all relevant material. The six-year delay in filing the FIR will be explained by the complainant during trial, the judge added.