New Delhi: Criminal proceedings cannot be initiated merely on the basis of vague and unsupported allegations, the Supreme Court ruled while dismissing a case of dowry harassment and cruelty filed against a septuagenarian couple from Kanpur by their daughter-in-law.A bench of Justices BV Nagarathna and Ujjal Bhuyan noted that the case was registered almost seven years after the alleged incidents of cruelty and said citizens should be alert about their rights and take timely action, especially in matrimonial disputes.SC: Mere statement on dowry demand not enough to initiate criminal proceedingsThe complainant and the prosecution have failed to produce any concrete evidence or material to support the allegations contained in the FIR and charge sheet. The mere statement that the accused/appellants frequently demanded dowry and harassed the complainant for the same is not sufficient to initiate criminal proceedings against them…” the apex court bench said.On a plea by the couple and their daughter seeking quashing of the case against them, the Supreme Court further said that the prosecution has failed to show any sufficient reason for the delay, which casts doubt on its case.“We find that citizens who are accused of committing crimes should not worry about their rights, but should pursue them in real time to achieve the goal of justice – vigilantibus non dormientibus jura subvenient, which means that the law protects those who are vigilant about their rights”. The Court emphasized that such delay (or lack thereof) matters in matrimonial matters or criminal cases between spouses, because due to the personal nature of the allegations and relationships, such cases often lack sufficient evidence to prove or disprove the claims.