NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court today indicated that it would revisit its two-month old verdict which reduced the severity of the anti-dowry law, saying it appeared to affect the rights of women.
A two-judge bench had on July 27 directed that no arrest should “normally be effected” without verifying allegations as violation of human rights of innocents cannot be brushed aside.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Dipak Misra said it is not in agreement with an earlier verdict, which had actually diluted the severity of section 498A (subjecting married woman to cruelty) of IPC by constituting a buffer of family welfare committees in every district to verify the allegations against husband or the relative of husband of a woman.
The bench, also comprising Justices A M Khanwilkar and D Y Chandrachud, issued notice and sought the Centre’s response by October 29.
“The judgement had laid certain guidelines for arrest under section 498A of IPC which appears to be an exercise under the doman of legislature. We are not in agreement with the view taken as it is liable to affect the rights of woman,” the bench said. (AGENCIES)
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