The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled out immediate arrests in dowry harassment cases and said that action should only be taken on such complaints after ascertaining the veracity of allegations.

The move came in as there are complaints piled up over the years alleging misuse of the anti-dowry harassment law, under Section 498A of IPC (Indian Penal Code), by disgruntled wives.

The apex court has also directed to set up atlease one Family Welfare Committee (FWC) in every district across the country. This committee would interact with the complainant and the accused and would submit a report to the police or a magistrate within a month.

No arrest shall be effected till report of FWC is received.

"Till report of the committee is received, no arrest should normally be effected. The report may be then considered by the investigating officer or the magistrate on its own merit," said the bench of Justices AK Goel and UU Lalit.

"Complaints under Section 498A and other connected offences may be investigated only by a designated investigating officer of the area. Such designations may be made within one month from today," the bench added.

However, the bench made it clear that these directions will not apply to the offences involving tangible physical injuries or death.

The anti-dowry law, framed in 1983 under Section 498A, was enacted with the laudable object of punishing cruelty at the hands of husband or his relatives. Such cruelty even drives the wife to commit suicide.