{"id":25082,"date":"2026-06-02T05:15:13","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T05:15:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?p=25082"},"modified":"2026-06-02T05:17:58","modified_gmt":"2026-06-02T05:17:58","slug":"section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/","title":{"rendered":"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h1 id=\"h-section-85-bns-formerly-section-498a-ipc-why-india-needs-reform-not-repeal\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Section_85_BNS_Formerly_Section_498A_IPC_Why_India_Needs_Reform_Not_Repeal\"><\/span>Section 85 BNS (Formerly Section 498A IPC): Why India Needs Reform, Not Repeal<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has retained one of India&#8217;s most debated criminal provisions. Formerly known as Section 498A IPC, the law now finds its place under Sections 85 and 86 of the BNS. While its primary purpose remains the protection of married women from cruelty, dowry harassment, and domestic abuse, growing concerns over misuse have reignited the national debate on balancing protection with procedural fairness.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #0c0c0c;color:#0c0c0c\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Section_85_BNS_Formerly_Section_498A_IPC_Why_India_Needs_Reform_Not_Repeal\" >Section 85 BNS (Formerly Section 498A IPC): Why India Needs Reform, Not Repeal<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Understanding_Section_85_and_Section_86_of_the_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita\" >Understanding Section 85 and Section 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Quick_Overview_of_Sections_85_and_86_of_the_BNS\" >Quick Overview of Sections 85 and 86 of the BNS<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#The_Continuing_Reality_of_Dowry_Harassment_in_India\" >The Continuing Reality of Dowry Harassment in India<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#The_Growing_Concern_Over_Misuse_of_Section_498A_and_Section_85_BNS\" >The Growing Concern Over Misuse of Section 498A and Section 85 BNS<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Common_Allegations_Seen_in_Matrimonial_Disputes\" >Common Allegations Seen in Matrimonial Disputes<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Arnesh_Kumar_Judgment_A_Landmark_Safeguard\" >Arnesh Kumar Judgment: A Landmark Safeguard<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Kahkashan_Kausar_Case_Protection_Against_Omnibus_Allegations\" >Kahkashan Kausar Case: Protection Against Omnibus Allegations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Recent_Judicial_Trends_in_2025_and_2026\" >Recent Judicial Trends in 2025 and 2026<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Why_Structural_Reform_Is_Necessary\" >Why Structural Reform Is Necessary<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Recommended_Structural_Reforms\" >Recommended Structural Reforms<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#Balancing_Womens_Rights_and_Due_Process\" >Balancing Women&#8217;s Rights and Due Process<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#The_Way_Forward\" >The Way Forward<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The real question facing lawmakers today is not whether women require legal protection\u2014they unquestionably do. The challenge is ensuring that the law effectively punishes genuine offenders without becoming a tool for indiscriminate prosecution of entire families.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-understanding-section-85-and-section-86-of-the-bharatiya-nyaya-sanhita\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Understanding_Section_85_and_Section_86_of_the_Bharatiya_Nyaya_Sanhita\"><\/span>Understanding Section 85 and Section 86 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 85 prescribes punishment for cruelty committed by a husband or his relatives against a married woman. Section 86 elaborates on what constitutes cruelty, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conduct likely to drive a woman to suicide.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct causing grave physical or mental injury.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harassment connected with unlawful demands for dowry, property, or valuable security.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Persistent abuse threatening a woman&#8217;s safety, dignity, or well-being.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The punishment continues to be imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine, reflecting the legislature&#8217;s commitment to combating domestic violence and dowry-related abuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-quick-overview-of-sections-85-and-86-of-the-bns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Quick_Overview_of_Sections_85_and_86_of_the_BNS\"><\/span>Quick Overview of Sections 85 and 86 of the BNS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Provision<\/th><th>Subject Matter<\/th><th>Key Feature<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Section 85 BNS<\/td><td>Punishment for cruelty<\/td><td>Up to 3 years imprisonment and fine<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Section 86 BNS<\/td><td>Definition of cruelty<\/td><td>Includes dowry-related harassment and grave mental or physical cruelty<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-continuing-reality-of-dowry-harassment-in-india\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Continuing_Reality_of_Dowry_Harassment_in_India\"><\/span>The Continuing Reality of Dowry Harassment in India<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Dowry-related crimes remain a serious social problem across India. Reports from the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) continue to show thousands of cases involving dowry deaths, domestic cruelty, and harassment every year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recognising this reality, the Supreme Court of India has repeatedly affirmed the constitutional validity of the provision. In recent observations, the Court acknowledged that dowry remains deeply rooted in Indian society and that the possibility of misuse cannot justify dismantling a protective law intended to shield vulnerable women.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, acknowledging the need for protection does not eliminate concerns about abuse of the legal process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-growing-concern-over-misuse-of-section-498a-and-section-85-bns\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Growing_Concern_Over_Misuse_of_Section_498A_and_Section_85_BNS\"><\/span>The Growing Concern Over Misuse of Section 498A and Section 85 BNS<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the years, courts across India have noticed a recurring pattern in certain matrimonial disputes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Entire families named in FIRs.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Elderly parents implicated despite living separately.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Married sisters and distant relatives added without specific allegations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Generalised accusations lacking dates, events, or individual roles.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Criminal proceedings used as leverage during divorce or settlement negotiations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Such allegations may ultimately fail in court, but by then the accused often suffer significant personal, social, and financial damage. Reputation, employment opportunities, mental health, and family relationships frequently become casualties of prolonged criminal litigation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-common-allegations-seen-in-matrimonial-disputes\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Common_Allegations_Seen_in_Matrimonial_Disputes\"><\/span>Common Allegations Seen in Matrimonial Disputes<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-fixed-layout\"><tbody><tr><th>Issue<\/th><th>Impact on Accused Persons<\/th><\/tr><tr><td>Omnibus allegations<\/td><td>Difficulty defending vague accusations<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Mass implication of relatives<\/td><td>Entire family drawn into litigation<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Automatic arrests<\/td><td>Loss of liberty and reputational harm<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Prolonged proceedings<\/td><td>Financial and emotional burden<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-arnesh-kumar-judgment-a-landmark-safeguard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Arnesh_Kumar_Judgment_A_Landmark_Safeguard\"><\/span>Arnesh Kumar Judgment: A Landmark Safeguard<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the most significant judicial interventions came in the landmark case of <strong>Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Supreme Court observed that Section 498A had increasingly been used as a &#8220;weapon rather than a shield&#8221; in some cases and warned that automatic arrests were contributing to unnecessary harassment of accused persons.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The court directed police authorities to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Avoid automatic arrests.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conduct proper investigation before depriving an individual of liberty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow statutory safeguards governing arrest.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Record reasons for arrest and detention.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These principles remain highly relevant under the new criminal law framework and continue to influence police procedures throughout the country.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-kahkashan-kausar-case-protection-against-omnibus-allegations\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kahkashan_Kausar_Case_Protection_Against_Omnibus_Allegations\"><\/span>Kahkashan Kausar Case: Protection Against Omnibus Allegations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Kahkashan Kausar v. State of Bihar (2022)<\/strong>, the Supreme Court once again addressed the issue of indiscriminate prosecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Court cautioned against the growing tendency to implicate all relatives of a husband based on vague and omnibus allegations. It emphasised that criminal law cannot be invoked merely because of familial relationships and that courts must carefully scrutinise complaints lacking specific accusations against individual family members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The judgment reinforced a crucial principle:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Mere relationship with the husband is not sufficient to justify criminal prosecution.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-recent-judicial-trends-in-2025-and-2026\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recent_Judicial_Trends_in_2025_and_2026\"><\/span>Recent Judicial Trends in 2025 and 2026<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Recent decisions from various High Courts and the Supreme Court continue to emphasize:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Specific allegations must be supported by facts.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Criminal proceedings against distant relatives should not proceed solely on generalised accusations.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Arrest must remain an exception rather than a routine response.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Personal liberty under Article 21 of the Constitution deserves equal protection.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Courts have increasingly quashed criminal proceedings where complaints fail to disclose the distinct role of each accused person. This emerging jurisprudence reflects a growing effort to balance victim protection with due process safeguards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-why-structural-reform-is-necessary\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Why_Structural_Reform_Is_Necessary\"><\/span>Why Structural Reform Is Necessary<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The answer is not repeal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eliminating Section 85 BNS would leave genuine victims vulnerable and weaken India&#8217;s fight against domestic violence and dowry-related cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead, India requires structural reforms that preserve protection while reducing opportunities for misuse.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"h-recommended-structural-reforms\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recommended_Structural_Reforms\"><\/span>Recommended Structural Reforms<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Specific Allegation Requirement<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Every complaint should clearly mention:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Date and time of incidents.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nature of alleged cruelty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Role of each accused person.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Details of any dowry demand.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Supporting evidence where available.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"2\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Enhanced Scrutiny Before Summoning Relatives<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Courts should conduct preliminary scrutiny before issuing summons to parents, siblings, and extended family members where allegations are vague or repetitive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"3\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Written Justification for Arrest<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Investigating officers should record detailed reasons explaining why arrest is necessary, particularly in matrimonial disputes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"4\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Separate Evaluation of Each Accused<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The husband and other relatives should not automatically face identical treatment when allegations differ significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"5\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Speedy Disposal of Frivolous Cases<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">High courts should prioritise petitions seeking the quashing of proceedings based on generalised or legally insufficient allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"6\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Accountability for Deliberately False Complaints<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-related-links yoast-seo-related-links\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/analysing-the-misuse-of-section-85-and-86-of-bnss2023\/\">Analysing The Misuse Of Section 85 And 86 Of BNSS,2023<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/how-long-does-a-dowry-case-last-in-india-real-timeline-delays-legal-truth-2026-guide\/\">How Long Does a Dowry Case Last in India? Real Timeline, Delays &amp; Legal Truth (2026 Guide)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wife-filed-false-ipc-498a-bns-85-what-to-do-immediately-before-police-action-starts\/\">Wife Filed False IPC 498A \/ BNS 85? What To Do Immediately Before Police Action Starts<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/supreme-courts-interpretation-of-section-498a-ipc-a-balanced-approach-to-quashing-firs-in-matrimonial-disputes\/\">Supreme Court&#8217;s Interpretation of Section 498A IPC: A Balanced Approach to Quashing FIRs in Matrimonial Disputes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/supreme-courts-latest-stance-on-section-498a-ipc-a-landmark-decision-on-quashing-firs-in-nri-cases\/\">Supreme Court&#8217;s Latest Stance on Section 498A IPC: A Landmark Decision on Quashing FIRs in NRI Cases<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where courts conclusively find that allegations were knowingly fabricated, appropriate legal consequences should follow to discourage abuse of criminal processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"7\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>National Data Collection<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Government agencies should maintain transparent statistics concerning:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Convictions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Acquittals.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quashed proceedings.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Settlements.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Cases involving false implication.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-balancing-women-s-rights-and-due-process\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Balancing_Womens_Rights_and_Due_Process\"><\/span>Balancing Women&#8217;s Rights and Due Process<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A mature legal system must be capable of protecting two important principles simultaneously:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The right of women to live free from violence, harassment, and dowry-related abuse.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The right of accused persons to fair treatment, due process, and protection from arbitrary prosecution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These goals are not contradictory. In fact, they reinforce public confidence in the justice system.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When innocent people are unnecessarily prosecuted, faith in the law suffers. Conversely, when genuine victims are denied protection, justice fails its most fundamental purpose.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"h-the-way-forward\" class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Way_Forward\"><\/span>The Way Forward<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India does not need a weaker law against cruelty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">India needs a more precise, evidence-driven, and accountable law.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Section 85 BNS should continue to protect women facing genuine abuse. At the same time, procedural safeguards must ensure that criminal law is not transformed into a tool of pressure, revenge, or family-wide prosecution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The objective should be simple:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Punish cruelty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect victims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Preserve liberty.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Respect due process.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Prevent misuse.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Justice cannot be selective, and fairness cannot be optional. A legal system earns legitimacy not merely by protecting the vulnerable but also by ensuring that the innocent are not wrongfully punished.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is why the future of Section 85 BNS lies not in repeal but in thoughtful structural reform.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Section 85 BNS (Formerly Section 498A IPC): Why India Needs Reform, Not Repeal The transition from the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, has retained one of India&#8217;s most debated criminal provisions. Formerly known as Section 498A IPC, the law now finds its place under Sections 85 and 86 of<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1371,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"two_page_speed":[],"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"_joinchat":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[10],"tags":[7218],"class_list":["post-25082","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","category-family-law","tag-family-law"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.6.1 (Yoast SEO v27.7) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform - Legal Service India - Articles<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Legal Service India - Articles\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"ShoneeKapoor\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@legalserviceind\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"ShoneeKapoor\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"ShoneeKapoor\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/64da0c8283e2f939eb7688079519e098\"},\"headline\":\"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/\"},\"wordCount\":1295,\"commentCount\":0,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\"},\"keywords\":[\"Family Law\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Family Law\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/\",\"name\":\"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform - Legal Service India - Articles\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#website\"},\"datePublished\":\"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00\",\"description\":\"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\\\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Family Law > Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment & the Need for Legal Reform\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\",\"name\":\"Legal Service India - Law Articles\",\"description\":\"Legal Service India - Law Article Directory is the oldest in India since 2000, with thousands of article written by lawyers, law Students and Scholars on all branches of law\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Legal Service India\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-circle-1.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/2025\\\/06\\\/logo-circle-1.png\",\"width\":105,\"height\":95,\"caption\":\"Legal Service India\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/logo\\\/image\\\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\\\/\\\/www.facebook.com\\\/legalservicesind\",\"https:\\\/\\\/x.com\\\/legalserviceind\",\"https:\\\/\\\/www.youtube.com\\\/@LegalServiceIndia-lsi\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/64da0c8283e2f939eb7688079519e098\",\"name\":\"ShoneeKapoor\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/1371\\\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/1371\\\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/wp-content\\\/uploads\\\/avatars\\\/1371\\\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg\",\"caption\":\"ShoneeKapoor\"},\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.legalserviceindia.com\\\/Legal-Articles\\\/author\\\/shoneekapoor\\\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO Premium plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform - Legal Service India - Articles","description":"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform","og_description":"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/","og_site_name":"Legal Service India - Articles","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind","article_published_time":"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00","article_modified_time":"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00","author":"ShoneeKapoor","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@legalserviceind","twitter_site":"@legalserviceind","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"ShoneeKapoor","Est. reading time":"6 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/"},"author":{"name":"ShoneeKapoor","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/person\/64da0c8283e2f939eb7688079519e098"},"headline":"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform","datePublished":"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/"},"wordCount":1295,"commentCount":0,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization"},"keywords":["Family Law"],"articleSection":["Family Law"],"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/","name":"Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment &amp; the Need for Legal Reform - Legal Service India - Articles","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#website"},"datePublished":"2026-06-02T05:15:13+00:00","dateModified":"2026-06-02T05:17:58+00:00","description":"Section 85 BNS and 498A IPC explained: Supreme Court rulings, misuse concerns, dowry laws, due process, and legal reforms in India.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/section-85-bns-vs-section-498a-ipc-supreme-court-on-misuse-dowry-harassment-the-need-for-legal-reform\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Family Law > Section 85 BNS vs Section 498A IPC: Supreme Court on Misuse, Dowry Harassment & the Need for Legal Reform"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/","name":"Legal Service India - Law Articles","description":"Legal Service India - Law Article Directory is the oldest in India since 2000, with thousands of article written by lawyers, law Students and Scholars on all branches of law","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#organization","name":"Legal Service India","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-circle-1.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/logo-circle-1.png","width":105,"height":95,"caption":"Legal Service India"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/legalservicesind","https:\/\/x.com\/legalserviceind","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/@LegalServiceIndia-lsi"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/#\/schema\/person\/64da0c8283e2f939eb7688079519e098","name":"ShoneeKapoor","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/1371\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg","url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/1371\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/avatars\/1371\/1776080869-bpfull.jpg","caption":"ShoneeKapoor"},"url":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/author\/shoneekapoor\/"}]}},"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25082","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1371"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25082"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25082\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":25388,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25082\/revisions\/25388"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25082"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25082"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.legalserviceindia.com\/Legal-Articles\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25082"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}