DOWRY DEATH
Vaidya Mohan Kewat
Asst. Professor
Poornayu Ayurved Mahavidyalaya Evam Anusandhan Vidyapeeth, Jabalpur (M.P.)
INTRODUCTION
The transfer of parental property, gifts or money at the daughter’s marriage is called
dowry.
Dowry death also known as “Bride Burning”.
When the dowry is deemed unsatisfactory resulting tension may lead to harassment of
women by husband and/or his family, if the harassment leads to death of the victim women
then it is called “Dowry Death”.
CAUSES
1. Greed factor
2. Society factor
3. Religious factor
4. Illiteracy
5. Urge to show off
RELATED IPC & CrPC
IPC Section 304-B
Death of a married women within 7 years of her marriage under suspicious conditions
including the evidence of cruelty or torture by husband or relatives.
It is cognizable and non-bailable offence.
Minimum punishment 7 years imprisonment.
IPC Section 498-A
Cruelty to a women physically or mentally by his husband or relatives.
CrPC Section 176(1)
Provides inquest by executive magistrate.
CONDITIONS RELATED WITH DOWRY DEATH
Death occurs within 7 years of marriage but there was no history for harassment then it is
not a dowry death.
There was harassment for dowry but death occurred after 7 years of marriage then it is
not a dowry death.
Married women sets fire on herself to commit suicide, leaves a suicide note or gives a
dying declaration that she was not being harassed for dowry but her parent shows evidence
that she was being harassed for dowry then it is called a dowry death.
When women is a widow, commits suicide within 7 yrs of marriage and her parents
shows evidence that she was being harassed for dowry by relatives of husband then it is
called a dowry death.
Death of a unmarried girl / divorced women / live in relationship girl is not comes under
dowry death.
CONDUCT OF A DOCTOR IN DOWRY DEATH
History taking
Condition of victim.
Discussion with the victim.
Arrangement for dying declaration.
Visit to crime of scene.
Autopsy by 2 doctors if female age is below 30.
BATTERED WIFE SYNDROME
It is a condition in which a married women is subjected to regular physical and
psychological or sexual abuse by her partner causing a mental condition similar to PTSD
(Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).
The intent is often to get control over victim by inducing fear and pain which known as
wife battering.
Husband can be charged under 498-A.
