dowry prohibition act
Agenda No.8
REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF
“DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961”
The ‘Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961’ is being implemented in the country for five decades now, but, the practice of dowry and dowry related crimes continue to be a matter of concern. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that the number of cases reported under the Dowry Prohibition Act increased by almost 25% from 4504 in 2006 to 5623 in 2007 although it fell marginally by a little over 1% in 2008.
State/UT-wise analysis shows that
Orissa accounted for the highest percentage of cases (23.7%) followed by Bihar
(23.2%). The number of dowry deaths increased by 7.28% from 7,618 to 8,172 between 2006 and 2008. The highest percentage of cases in this category were reported from Uttar Pradesh (27.4%), followed again by Bihar (14.8%).
State/UT-wise details in respect of cases reported under Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961 and ‘Dowry Deaths’ during 2008 are at Annex.
1.2
The alarming rate of increase in the number of cases under the Dowry
Prohibition Act, call for more effective implementation of the Act by taking stock of the implementation strategies adopted thus far and the gaps therein. The increasing number of reported cases does, in a way, reflect greater awareness of the law. At the same time, it is a reflection of the fact that the system of dowry is deeply entrenched in the society and requires concerted action on the part of the State
Governments/UT
Administrations
entailing
not
only
proper
enforcement of the Act but also measures for bringing about a social change.
81
2.
Key Features of the Act
• Prohibits the giving or taking of dowry.
• Provides penalties for giving or taking of dowry or its abetment, and for demanding dowry.
• Envisages the appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers for, inter alia, ensuring compliance of the provisions of the Act, preventing the giving or taking/abetting or the demanding of dowry, and collecting evidence for prosecution of offenders.
REVIEW OF IMPLEMENTATION OF
“DOWRY PROHIBITION ACT, 1961”
The ‘Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961’ is being implemented in the country for five decades now, but, the practice of dowry and dowry related crimes continue to be a matter of concern. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data shows that the number of cases reported under the Dowry Prohibition Act increased by almost 25% from 4504 in 2006 to 5623 in 2007 although it fell marginally by a little over 1% in 2008.
State/UT-wise analysis shows that
Orissa accounted for the highest percentage of cases (23.7%) followed by Bihar
(23.2%). The number of dowry deaths increased by 7.28% from 7,618 to 8,172 between 2006 and 2008. The highest percentage of cases in this category were reported from Uttar Pradesh (27.4%), followed again by Bihar (14.8%).
State/UT-wise details in respect of cases reported under Dowry Prohibition Act,
1961 and ‘Dowry Deaths’ during 2008 are at Annex.
1.2
The alarming rate of increase in the number of cases under the Dowry
Prohibition Act, call for more effective implementation of the Act by taking stock of the implementation strategies adopted thus far and the gaps therein. The increasing number of reported cases does, in a way, reflect greater awareness of the law. At the same time, it is a reflection of the fact that the system of dowry is deeply entrenched in the society and requires concerted action on the part of the State
Governments/UT
Administrations
entailing
not
only
proper
enforcement of the Act but also measures for bringing about a social change.
81
2.
Key Features of the Act
• Prohibits the giving or taking of dowry.
• Provides penalties for giving or taking of dowry or its abetment, and for demanding dowry.
• Envisages the appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers for, inter alia, ensuring compliance of the provisions of the Act, preventing the giving or taking/abetting or the demanding of dowry, and collecting evidence for prosecution of offenders.