What are Laws against Dowry and How to fight against Dowry

Introduction:

We often seen that ,when the number of people supporting a practice or party is more than the number of people opposing it, it becomes popular among the people. Once it become popular, people start following it blindly without knowing that how wrong it is on the basis of moral values. Modern Dowry malpractice is one of them.

It is very unethical that the prestige of the family is also determined by society based on how much dowry they give and receive at the time of their children’s marriage. also, dowry has emerged as the cause of domestic violence, harassment, murder different types of heinous crimes.

What is dowry?

Dowry a the payment given by the bride’s family to the groom and his family during the marriage in the form of jewelry, cash, vehicles, electronics, furniture, etc.

When dowry begin in India?



According to some scholars we get to see the roots of dowry in ancient India. In ancient India dowry was practiced in a significant manner and women also had inheritance rights, which by tradition were performed at the time of the marriage ceremony. Parents were not bound to give this kind.

That time it was given .voluntarily by parents. But now dowry are made on behalf of groom and his family and it has become a necessary condition of marriage from the groom’s family.

What is the present scenario of dowry in India?

So far, many rules and regulations have been made to end the evil of dowry, but no improvement in the dowry cases. The worst thing is that even some educated boys are supporting dowry by not refusing to take dowry at the time of their marriage According to the study of the world bank, even after having too many laws against dowry, it has remained constant over the past few decades.

Type of crimes happening due to the dowry system:

 

The dowry given for the safety and independence of the brides in ancient marriages has become a curse for the brides today. despite of getting a dowry, many in-laws harass their daughter-in-law for more money. T different forms of crimes have been emerged due to dowry which is shown below; Domestic violence This is the most common form of dowry crime, where accused families abuse women emotionally, physically, and sexually as well.

There is a law against domestic violence known as the Protection of women from domestic violence act, 2005. 

Marital rape In recent years the cases of marital rapes increased in India due to dowry. Dowry deaths Every year, many women are murdered or driven to suicide by their husbands and their family just for dowry. A recent study shows that the number of women who died in 2020 due to dowry was 7,000, which is less than in 2014.

 

The dowry prohibition act,1961

 

This act was enacted on 1 May 1961 in the interest of women. Under this act, dowry includes property, goods, or cash given either by either party to the marriage, by the parents of either side, or by anyone else about the marriage. Penalty for receiving and giving dowry After the commencement of this act, if any person gives and receives dowry and demands the dowry, he shall be punishable with the imprisonment of a minimum of 5 years and with the fine of fifteen thousand rupees or the amount of the value of such dowry.

 

IPC 304B (dowry death) 

 

This section of IPC imposed when the death of women caused by any burn or bodily injury or occur otherwise under normal situations within seven years of marriage and it is noticed that soon before her death she was harassed by her husband or any family member and relatives, or in connection with, any demand for dowry such death shall be dowry death.

Whoever commits dowry death is punishable with not less than seven years of imprisonment and which may extend to the life imprisonment

 

IPC 498A (cruelty by a husband or his relatives)

 

This section of the Indian penal code was introduced in 1983, it states that any intentional conduct which is such a nature that is likely to drive the women to commit suicide or cause serious injury or danger to the life or health of women is cruelty. Harassment: To compel the women or any person associated with the women to give up any valuable thing in the form of dowry. The punishment extends to 3 years and a fine has been prescribed.

 

Protection of women from domestic violence act, 2005

 

This Act was enacted by the parliament of India to prevent women from domestic violence. This act guarantees more effective rights to the women under the constitution against their husbands or relatives. The same was came in force by the Indian government and ministry of women and child welfare on 26 days of October 2006. according to this Act, an aggrieved person or any woman who has been, in a domestic relationship with the respondent and who alleges to have been subjected to any domestic violence by the respondent. The victim can file a case under this Act against any male adult accused who has a domestic relationship with her. this act has special civil and criminal provisions under which a victim can get immediate civil remedies under 60 days.

 

How to file FIR In dowry case

 

If you are a victim of dowry and related violence, you must take a few steps to protect your life and dignity

 

1. Visit your nearby police station and tell them what you have been going through in detail about physical/mental harassment, torture, or any.

2. Give them the proof against your husband and his family if you have any. 

3. file Case under section 498A of IPC. You can also file a case under the protection of women and domestic violence act 2005 and demand maintenance

 

Conclusion:

 

As we have been evidenced that despite having stringent laws, women are becoming victims of dowry and other heinous crimes. We all have to remember one thing unless women make themselves capable and raise their voice for themselves, no law can protect them.

 

 

 

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