Nearly 16 women died every day due to dowry-related violence as revealed by the National Crime Record Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report.

• As per the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, dowry is “any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly, by one party to a marriage to the other party, at or before or any time after the marriage”.

Current Status (as per NCRB 2024 Data)

• Crime against women: Of 4,41,534 cases 27.2% cases were registered under ‘Cruelty by Husband or Relatives’.
• Dowry deaths: Despite marginal long-term decline, India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024.

• Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of cases (2,038), followed by Bihar and Madhya Pradesh.

Related Legal Provisions

• Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Criminalizes the act of giving, taking, or demanding dowry.
• Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):  Section 80 (formerly Section 304B of the IPC) strictly penalizes dowry deaths, while Section 85 (earlier IPC Section 498A) addresses cruelty by a husband or his relatives.
• Domestic violence: Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Enacted to protect women from domestic violence.

• Evidentiary Backing: Section 118 of the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam (BSA) (previously Section 113B of the Evidence Act, 1872) raises a presumption of guilt against the accused.