Husband's Girlfriend Not 'Relative' For Wife To Allege Cruelty: Reiterates Gujarat HC, Quashes Section 498A IPC FIR Against Woman

Gujarat High Court ruled that a husband's girlfriend is not considered a "relative" for the purpose of Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with cruelty to a wife by her husband or his relatives. The court clarified the definition of "relative" under this section, emphasizing that it typically refers to family members connected by blood, marriage, or adoption. This interpretation limits the scope of who can be prosecuted under Section 498A in cases of alleged cruelty.