India, Feb. 14 -- The Delhi high court has expressed concern over the growing misuse of the anti-dowry law, saying it was being used to harass husbands, and in-laws and gain leverage, while quashing a case filed against a man for allegedly harassing his wife for dowry and property.

"Courts have taken note of the increasing tendency of implicating the husband and his family in matrimonial litigation... While the provision of Section 498A of the IPC [Indian Penal Code replaced by Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita last year] was introduced with an object to combat harassment meted out to married women...it is abysmal to note that the same is now also being misused as a tool to harass the husband and his family members and gain leverage," Justice Amit...