India, March 31 -- PRAYAGRAJ The Allahabad high court has observed that a woman is the absolute owner of her 'streedhan' property and a legally wedded wife can't face a criminal trial for alleged breach of trust under Section 406 of the IPC for allegedly taking it away.

The court observed that properties given to a woman at the time of her marriage constitute her 'streedhan' and do not become the joint property of the husband and wife.

Justice Chawan Prakash allowed the petition filed by Anamika Tiwari and four others and quashed the summoning order and criminal case against them.

The court said that a wife has all rights to dispose of this property at her own pleasure. It added that while a husband may use it during times of distress,...