Answer By law4u team
Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 - Section 86: Cruelty defined
- (a) Any wilful conduct which is of such a nature as is likely to drive the woman to commit suicide or to cause grave injury or danger to life, limb, or health (whether mental or physical) of the woman; or
- (b) Harassment of the woman where such harassment is with a view to coercing her or any person related to her to meet any unlawful demand for any property or valuable security, or is on account of failure by her or any person related to her to meet such demand.
Brief Detail
BNS Section 86 defines cruelty for the purposes of section 85. It includes any deliberate conduct that could lead a woman to commit suicide, or cause serious harm to her life, body, or mental/physical health. It also covers harassment aimed at pressuring her or her relatives to fulfill illegal demands for property or security.
Question & Answers
Q1: What is the definition of cruelty under BNS Section 86?
A1: cruelty under BNS Section 86 refers to any wilful conduct that could drive a woman to commit suicide or cause serious harm to her life, body, or health. It also includes harassment related to unlawful demands for property or valuable security.
Q2: What kind of harassment is considered cruelty under BNS Section 86?
A2: Harassment that is intended to coerce a woman or her relatives to meet any unlawful demand for property or valuable security is considered cruelty under BNS Section 86.
Q3: Does BNS Section 86 cover both mental and physical harm?
A3: Yes, BNS Section 86 covers both mental and physical harm to the woman.
Example
If a woman is repeatedly harassed by her husband to bring more dowry from her family, and this harassment leads her to suffer from severe mental stress or attempt suicide, this situation would fall under the definition of cruelty as per BNS Section 86.
Summary
BNS Section 86 expands on Section 85, defining cruelty as intentional acts or harassment likely to harm a woman mentally or physically or pressure her to meet unlawful demands for property.
