Cruelty defined
What this section does
Defines 'cruelty' for the purposes of section 85. It covers two categories: (a) wilful conduct likely to drive the woman to suicide or cause grave injury or danger to her life, limb, or health (mental or physical); and (b) harassment to coerce the woman or her relatives to meet any unlawful demand for property or valuable security, or harassment on account of failure to meet such demand.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Derived from IPC s.498A (Explanation).
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 86, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 86 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.