My sister’s in-laws have been harassing her since the beginning of her marriage, and now her sister-in-law is threatening to file a case against my family. What are our options?
I’m posting this on behalf of my sister and would appreciate some advice on how to handle this situation.
My sister got married in January 2025. Unfortunately, problems started soon after the marriage due to constant interference from her mother-in-law and sister-in-law, along with issues involving her husband. Things eventually became so difficult that she returned to our family home in December 2025.
Despite everything that had happened, my sister tried to reconcile with her husband and save the marriage. During this period, she was hospitalised and had to undergo emergency surgery. Neither her husband nor anyone from his family called to check on her or ask about her health. My father eventually insisted that her husband visit her in the hospital, which he did later.
Barely 20 days after her discharge, her husband allegedly tried to record her during a phone call when she was still recovering and emotionally vulnerable.
Later, in an attempt to resolve the issues, her husband suggested that my sister and my father visit his parents to discuss the matter. My father and sister went there with the intention of finding a solution and helping her return to her matrimonial home.
However, the discussion turned into an argument. From his family, only his mother and sister actively participated in the argument, while his father and husband remained silent spectators.
Eventually, her husband took her into a separate room and told her to apologise to his parents so that the matter could be resolved. My sister agreed and apologised, even though she did not believe she was at fault, because she genuinely wanted to save her marriage and return to her matrimonial home.
However, immediately after the apology, her mother-in-law told her that she could not stay in their house and asked my father to arrange a separate flat for my sister and her husband. My father said that if they were unwilling to let her stay there, he would take his daughter back home.
Since then, my uncles have been trying to mediate between both families and resolve the matter amicably. However, my sister’s in-laws have been unwilling to sit down and have a proper discussion. Her husband has become even more hostile towards her and is refusing to live with her.
The matter has now dragged on for months, with no meaningful resolution despite repeated attempts by our family to resolve it peacefully.
Two days ago, my parents decided to speak directly to her husband instead of communicating through our uncles. That phone call was recorded by our family. As expected, the conversation became heated.
Following that call, my uncle received a phone call from sister-in-law (her husband’s sister). She threatened to file a case against my parents and my sister, accusing them of harassing her brother. She also threatened to put them behind bars for 17–18 years.
We are now worried that they might file a false case against my family, despite our repeated efforts to resolve the situation peacefully.
I would appreciate advice on the following:
- What legal options does my sister have in this situation?
- Can her sister-in-law file a criminal case against my parents and sister simply because of a heated phone conversation?
- What precautions should we take if we believe they may file a false complaint against us?
- Should we preserve the recorded phone call and any messages or other evidence? Is it legally advisable to use the recording?
- Should my sister approach a lawyer now, even if no formal complaint has been filed yet?
Additional context: My sister’s in-laws have been interfering in her marriage since day one. Our family has repeatedly tried to resolve the issues through discussion and mediation, but nothing has worked so far.
We are based in India, so advice from people familiar with Indian matrimonial and criminal law would be especially helpful.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. We genuinely want to understand our legal options and protect my sister and our family while handling the matter properly.