The Andhra Pradesh High Court has dismissed a criminal revision petition filed by a woman against an appellate court judgment that had set aside the conviction of her husband in a case involving allegations of cruelty and dowry demand. The case also involved the husband’s sister, who had been acquitted by the trial court.
Justice Subhendu Samanta passed the order on July 21, 2026, in Criminal Revision Case No. 1643 of 2009.
The petitioner, who was the de facto complainant and wife of the first respondent, had initiated prosecution against the first respondent and another accused, who was the first respondent's sister. The allegations were under Section 498-A of the Indian Penal Code and Sections 3 and 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
The trial court convicted the first respondent under these provisions but acquitted the second accused. The first respondent challenged the conviction before the III Additional Sessions Judge, Guntur. After reconsidering the evidence, the appellate court set aside the conviction and sentence.
The High Court examined the evidence considered by the lower courts. It noted that the allegations against both accused arose from the same set of facts and evidence.
The Court observed that once the evidence was found insufficient against the second accused, the conviction of the first respondent could not stand on the same evidence without independent incriminating material specifically connecting him with the allegations.
The High Court also found that the appellate court had properly appreciated the evidence while setting aside the conviction.
The High Court found no illegality or impropriety in the reasoning adopted by the appellate court. Holding that the criminal revision case was devoid of merit, the Court dismissed the revision petition.
Case Title: X v. Y
Case Number: Criminal Revision Case No. 1643 of 2009
Judge: Hon’ble Sri Justice Subhendu Samanta
Decision Date: July 21, 2026
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