Laws

What is dowry?

Dowry is a payment made, traditionally by the bride or her family, to the groom or his family at the time of marriage. The payment can be in cash, kind or valuable deposits or property.

What kind of violence is related to dowry?

Any cruelty that is inflicted upon the bride or her family by her partner or marital family for not having given enough dowry or for it not being a certain standard can be classified as dowry violence

How can this Act help her?

It prohibits the practice of giving or taking dowry by either party to a marriage. It also punishes demanding and advertising dowry.
It imposes a duty on parties getting married to make a list of gifts and presents.
If dowry has been exchanged at a wedding anyway, it imposes a duty on the person who is given dowry to give it to the bride

More serious crimes in relation to dowry demands are punishable under the general law on crimes: the Indian Penal Code, 1860

This law can punish:
Any person who gives or takes dowry (minimum punishment of five years)
Any person who helps someone to give or take dowry
Anyone who in any way demands dowry
Anyone who advertises and offers to give money or property in return for marrying their relative
Anyone who publishes these advertisements
Anyone who does not hand over the dowry to the bride within the specified time

How can this Act help her?

The Act is about sexual offences

Sexual Harassment, Section 354A

If someone makes physical advances or unwelcome and explicit overtures or demands sexual favours, makes sexually coloured remarks, forcibly shows pornography or any sexual verbal or non-verbal conduct which is unwelcome.

Section 354B

Any man who assaults or uses criminal force to any woman or abets such act with the intention of disrobing or compelling her to be naked.

Voyeurism, Section 354C

Voyeurism is the act of watching a person engaged in private activities.

Stalking, Section 354D

The offence refers to the physical or virtual act of someone following or contacting a person, provided that there has been a clear sign of disinterest, or to monitoring the use by a woman of the internet, email or any other forms of electronic communication.

Rape, Section 375 and 376

The act of rape include penetration of penis into vagina, urethra, mouth or anus of any person, insertion of any object or any body part, not being penis, into vagina, urethra, mouth or anus of any person, manipulation of any body part so as to cause penetration of vagina, urethra, mouth or anus or any body part of such person, application of mouth to the penis, vagina, anus, urethra of another person or touching the vagina, penis, anus or breast of the person or makes the person touch the vagina, penis, anus or breast of that person or any other person. In India, marital rape is not considered unlawful for women over the age of 15 years