Dowry System

Dowry System

**Author:- Shruti Chaturvedi, a Student of Agra College Agra

History of Dowry 

The ancient era saw the beginning of the dowry system. This approach was first intended to give women a sense of independence, but it quickly turned out negatively. Soon it was called Streedhan.

As she takes money, gifts, and other moveable items to the residence where she will tie the knot with.Soon, nevertheless, this practice began to be abused, which destroyed the dowry's original purpose.

Definition of Dowry System 

As a condition of the marriage, the bride's family pays the groom, his parents, and his relatives a combination of cash, money, and real or moveable property. This is known as the "dowry system" in India. In Hindi, it is  known as  dahez.

Impact of Dowry System 

Prejudice towards women - No one wants their child to be born as a girl because of the dowry system, which makes women look like liabilities.

Not many women desire to get married- Due to their parents' inability to meet the requirements of the pre-wedding, many women are unable to get married.

Cases Related To Dowry System

• Due to dowry demands for a refrigerator, scooter, and other valuables, the victim in Pawan Kumar v. Haryana, Urmil, left her husband's home within a few days of their wedding. Her death was caused by her husband's and in-laws' severe treatment and harassment of her.

•Before being burned alive by her in-laws, the deceased complained in a letter to her father that she was being mistreated, harassed, and threatened with severe repercussions if she did not pay the demanded dowry. demonstrating that a dowry demand crime under Section 4 had occurred and was acted upon; Bhoora Singh v. State, 1993

Supreme Court specify some incredients of Dowry System 

 (i)The death of a lady should be brought on by burns, physical harm, or some other unusual condition.

(ii) Such a passing ought to have happened seven years or less after her wedding.

(iii) Her husband or any of his relatives must have treated her cruelly or harassed her.

(iv) The dowry demand should be the reason or occasion for such brutality or harassment.

(v) It must be demonstrated that the woman was subjected to such brutality or harassment just before she passed away.

Punishment

The definition of "dowry" in this subsection is the same as that in Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 (28 of 1961).

(2) Anyone who commits dowry death is punished with a sentence of imprisonment that must not be less than seven years but may go as long as life.

Conclusion and Suggestions 

Dowry system is the evil practice  conducted by the Hindu Society. Every single citizen in the nation needs to be informed about dowry by participating in as many camping or sticker-pasting exercises as they can. This will help people understand the consequences of engaging in the dowry system, especially in rural areas. Through counselling, the orthodox way of thinking should be dissipated from people's thoughts because it supports the dowry system. Camping at home should be done, particularly in rural locations