Dechamma I.M. @ Dechamma Koushik vs The State Of Karnataka

The Supreme Court held that the appellant, being a girlfriend of the husband, does not fall within the definition of 'relative' under Section 498A IPC, as established in U. Suvetha v. State by Inspector of Police (2009) 6 SCC 757. The Court emphasized that mere allegations of harassment do not suffice to invoke Section 498A against someone not related to the husband. Consequently, the Court quashed the proceedings against the appellant in Crime No. 339 of 2019, allowing the appeal.