The Supreme Court (SC) has clarified the grounds for dowry death
While interpreting dowry death, the Supreme Court clarified that if the bride is tortured both mentally and physically before death in the matrimonial home, then the said case can be treated as dowry death.
About dowry death:
- Dowry deaths (the word murder is not used in the law) is defined in section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). In the case of dowry death, this section is read with section 113B (presumption as to dowry death) of the Indian Evidence Act.
- As per the latest judgment of the Supreme Court, just before her death means that the cruelty committed by the accused while the time of death is near. Also, this cruelty must be committed continuously on the part of the accused, so that the life of the victim becomes miserable, which will eventually compel her to commit suicide.
Dowry Deaths in India:
- Dowry, also known as Dahej (North India) or Stridhanam (South India), is defined by the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961
- Any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given directly or indirectly by one party/parent to the other in connection with the marriage shall be called dowry.
- Dowry death is a widespread social evil that has been going on for a long time. It was added as a new offense in the year 1986 in the Indian Penal Code.
- According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report “Crime in India – Year 2020”, 6,966 cases of dowry deaths were registered across India in the year 2020. Also, around 10,366 cases related to it were registered.
- In addition to dowry deaths, cruelty (harassment or torture of a woman) and domestic violence are other common types of dowry crimes.
Source – The Hindu
