Husband, relatives body-shaming wife is cruelty under Section 498A IPC: Kerala High Court

The Kerala High Court ruled that body-shaming a wife by her husband and his relatives constitutes cruelty under Section 498A of the IPC. The court emphasized that mental harassment, including body-shaming, can be as severe as physical abuse. The case involved a woman who alleged that her husband and his family subjected her to continuous body-shaming, leading to severe mental distress. The court’s decision highlights the broader interpretation of cruelty under Section 498A, recognizing the impact of psychological abuse in matrimonial disputes. This ruling reinforces the legal protections available to women against various forms of domestic abuse, including mental harassment.