Formerly Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC)

Whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine.

Cruelity Defined in Section 86

Classification of Offence as per Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS)

• Punishment:
  • Imprisonment for 3 years and fine.
• Cognizable if information relating to the commission of the offence is given to an officer in charge of a police station by the person aggrieved by the offence or by any person related to her by blood, marriage or adoption or if there is no such relative, by any public servant belonging to such class or category as may be notified by the State Government in this behalf.
• Non-bailable
• Triable by Magistrate of the first class