17/01/2026
Court awarded ₹1.8 crore in damages to a man who was falsely accused in a
dowry harassment case by his wife
A Gurugram district court has allowed a ₹1.8 crore damages suit filed by
Gursaranlal Awasthi, a UK-based Indian-origin man, after he was falsely
implicated in a dowry harassment case by his wife.
The dispute dates back to 2009, when an FIR was registered against him under
Sections 498A, 406 and 506 IPC
He was arrested during a visit to India in 2014 and spent 31 days in Bhondsi
jail.
After an 8 year criminal trial, the court found that the allegations were not
proved and acquitted Awasthi and his family in 2017, citing lack of evidence.
Following the acquittal, Awasthi filed a civil suit for malicious prosecution,
claiming financial loss, reputational damage, and mental trauma caused by the
false case
His former wife opposed the suit, arguing that an appeal against the acquitta
was pending and that the full court fee had not been paid.
On 13 August 2025, Civil Judge (Senior Division) Manish Kumar of the
Gurugram District Court ruled in Awasthi's favour. The court held that:
• An acquittal by the trial court can form the basis of a malicious prosecution
claim, even if an appeal is pending, and
• In suits for unliquidated damages, a notional court fee can be paid initially,
with the final fee adjusted if damages are awarded
Judgment / Case Title: Gursaranlal Awasthi v. Secretary, Home Department &
Ors.
(CNR No. HRGR02-000414-2020, Gurugram District Court, Order dated 13
August 2025)
This is the 3rd post in a series I am writing to document real court decisions
where men received judicial protection against unsubstantiated claims.
These cases remind us that the Indian judiciary is not gender-biased
t decides on facts placed before it, not narratives outside the courtroom. Stay
tuned for more posts
