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Research Paper | Law | India | Volume 8 Issue 5, May 2019

Dowry Death

Arshdeep Singh Bali

Abstract: Marriage is an integral part of society, a source of joy and festivities as well as of new beginnings. Yet, one of the longest standing evils associated with marriage from a womans point of view in the Indian society is the Dowry system. Despite a lot being said and done against the custom, it is still prevalent in the 21st century, in both subtle and obvious ways. The word dowry means the property and money that a bride brings to her husbands house at the time of her marriage. At the beginning it was voluntary custom, but later on took the shape of a tool to exert pressure on the bride and her parents, in the name of social practice and honor. The dowry at present is a source of both joy and curse in the society. It is also a joy to the husband and his relatives who get cash, costly dress and utensils, furniture, bedding materials, etc. But, it is a curse to the brides parents who have to bear enormous cost to satisfy the unreasonable demands of the bridegrooms party. A demand of dowry does not diminish even after marriage. The in-laws of the bride are very much ready in Indian homes to inflict harassment, insults and tortures-both mental and physical. When more pressure is put on the brides parents, their dear daughter has no other option but to commit suicide to avoid more insult and torture at the hands of the members of her husbands family.

Keywords: dowry, dowry prohibition act 1961, dowry death, marriage, social practice and family honor

Edition: Volume 8 Issue 5, May 2019,

Pages: 947 - 952

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