Faridabad · Section 85 BNS · Dowry · POCSO

Crime Against Women Cases Lawyer in Faridabad — Cruelty (498A), Dowry, Sexual Offences and POCSO

Last updated: 2 October 2026 · Reflects the BNS/BNSS, 2023 · By Advocate Manish Sharma · General legal information, not legal advice

In short: In Faridabad, complaints of cruelty, dowry harassment and sexual offences are registered at the women police stations and other police stations, and are tried before the Magistrates and the Sessions and special POCSO courts at the District Courts, Sector 12. Advocate Manish Sharma acts for complainants and, separately, for the accused, never for both sides in one matter.

This page sets out the offences and courts, the complainant's rights, the safeguards for an accused before arrest, settlement and quashing in matrimonial cases, and how POCSO trials run.

Crime against women lawyer in Faridabad — which offence, which court?

Cruelty under Section 85 BNS (formerly Section 498A IPC) is wilful conduct by a husband or his relatives likely to drive a woman to suicide or cause grave injury, or harassment to coerce dowry; it carries up to three years' imprisonment and fine. Dowry death under Section 80 BNS is the death of a woman within seven years of marriage by burns, bodily injury or in unnatural circumstances, where she was subjected to cruelty for dowry soon before her death. A child under the POCSO Act is any person below 18.

Offence	Provision	Trial court in Faridabad
Cruelty by husband or relatives	Section 85 BNS	Judicial Magistrate
Giving, taking or demanding dowry	Sections 3 and 4, Dowry Prohibition Act	Judicial Magistrate
Dowry death	Section 80 BNS	Sessions Court
Sexual harassment, stalking, voyeurism	Sections 75, 77 and 78 BNS	Judicial Magistrate
Rape	Section 64 BNS	Sessions Court
Sexual offences against a child	POCSO Act, 2012	Special Court (POCSO)
Domestic violence: residence, maintenance, protection orders	Section 12, DV Act (civil reliefs)	Judicial Magistrate

What rights does a complainant have?

FIR: registration of a cognizable offence is mandatory under Section 173 BNSS, including a Zero FIR at any police station and an e-FIR.
Woman officer: information about sexual offences is recorded by a woman police officer, and the statement can be recorded before a Magistrate under Section 183 BNSS.
Privacy: publishing the identity of a victim of a sexual offence is an offence under Section 72 BNS, and rape trials are held in camera.
Treatment and compensation: free medical treatment at any hospital under Section 397 BNSS, and victim compensation under Section 396 BNSS.

What protections does an accused have before arrest?

For offences punishable with up to seven years, including cruelty under Section 85 BNS, the police must ordinarily issue a notice of appearance under Section 35 BNSS instead of arresting, following Arnesh Kumar v. State of Bihar (2014). Anticipatory bail is available under Section 482 BNSS, except for the offences excluded by sub-section (4): rape of a girl under 16 and gang rape of a girl under 18, under Sections 65 and 70(2) BNS. In matrimonial complaints, an early written response with documents often decides whether an FIR is registered at all. See the 498A defence guide and the bail lawyer page.

Can a 498A case end in a settlement?

Cruelty under Section 85 BNS is not compoundable, so the trial court cannot close it on compromise. Where the parties settle, usually alongside a mutual-consent divorce, the Punjab & Haryana High Court can quash the FIR under Section 528 BNSS. See High Court remedies for Faridabad cases.

How does a POCSO case run in Faridabad?

Anyone who knows of a sexual offence against a child must report it under Section 19 of the POCSO Act. The child's evidence should be recorded within 30 days of the Special Court taking cognizance, and the trial should end within one year, under Section 35. Age is proved by school or birth records under Section 94 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, and the child's identity may not be disclosed.

How to choose an advocate for this matter in Faridabad

Enrolment: ask for the enrolment number and State Bar Council. Under Section 30 of the Advocates Act, 1961 an enrolled advocate may appear in any court in India.
Forum presence: check appearances before the court concerned on the eCourts portal.
Candour: a reliable advocate tells you the weak points of the file, not a promised result.
Written terms, stage by stage; costs are explained in the lawyer fees guide.

Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules forbids any advocate from claiming to be the "best", "top" or "No. 1" in Faridabad. Those words in a search are best answered by the tests above.

First consultation — what to bring

The complaint or FIR, any notice from the police, medical records, messages and call records, marriage and dowry-related documents in a matrimonial case, and any earlier court orders.

Frequently asked questions

Is a 498A case bailable in Faridabad?

No. Cruelty under Section 85 BNS (old 498A IPC) is cognizable and non-bailable. But as it carries up to three years, police must ordinarily issue a notice under Section 35 BNSS instead of arresting, and anticipatory bail is available.

Can police arrest the husband's family immediately on a dowry complaint?

Not ordinarily. For offences up to seven years, the Supreme Court's Arnesh Kumar guidelines and Section 35 BNSS require a notice of appearance unless arrest is justified for recorded reasons.

Where are POCSO cases tried in Faridabad?

Before the Special Court designated under the POCSO Act at the District Courts, Sector 12, Faridabad.

Can a false dowry case be quashed?

Yes, if the FIR discloses no offence or is an abuse of process, the Punjab & Haryana High Court can quash it under Section 528 BNSS. It can also be quashed after a genuine settlement.