UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS – 17th July 2025
Dowry Deaths in India
Why in News?
Despite legal bans, dowry-related violence persists in India are marked by high death rates, slow investigations, and low conviction rates.
Introduction
- Despite being outlawed for decades, the practice of dowry continues to claim the lives of thousands of women in India.
- In the past three months alone, multiple heart-wrenching cases have emerged from various parts of the country allegedly caused by dowry harassment.
- These tragic incidents are not isolated but symptomatic of a deeper societal malaise and systemic failure in addressing dowry-related violence.
Recent Incidents: A Grim Picture
The following recent cases illustrate the continued brutality faced by women in matrimonial homes:
- In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a woman died after being tortured with a hot iron due to dowry demands.
- In Pilibhit, also in Uttar Pradesh, a woman was allegedly burned alive by her in-laws for not fulfilling dowry expectations.
- In Chandigarh, a newlywed died by suicide allegedly due to dowry harassment.
- In Ponneri, Tamil Nadu, a bride ended her life four days after her wedding, citing harassment from her in-laws.
- Another woman in Tiruppur, Tamil Nadu, also took her life within two months of marriage due to similar reasons.
These incidents span across diverse regions and underline a harsh reality: dowry-related violence is a pan-India issue, cutting across geography, caste, and class.
Legal Framework Against Dowry
India has several laws to prohibit dowry and protect women:
- Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961: Prohibits the giving or taking of dowry.
- Section 80 of BNS: Deals with dowry deaths, mandating a minimum of 7 years to life imprisonment.
- Section 85 of BNS: Punishes cruelty to a woman by her husband or his relatives.
- Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005: Provides civil remedies in addition to criminal laws.
Despite this legal infrastructure, the data suggests poor implementation and weak judicial outcomes.
NCRB Data: Underreporting and Low Conviction
According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB):
- Average of 7,000 dowry deaths reported annually between 2017 and 2022.
- These are only reported cases—many more remain hidden due to fear, stigma, or family pressure.
- Over 6,100 murders were directly attributed to dowry during this period.
Geographical Concentration:
- 80% of all dowry deaths occurred in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand.
- Among cities, Delhi alone accounted for 30% of all urban dowry death cases, followed by Kanpur, Bengaluru, Lucknow, and Patna.
Systemic Failures: From FIR to Conviction
- Slow Investigation and Charge-Sheeting
- Of the 7,000 annual cases, only about 4,500 are charge-sheeted.
- Reasons for delay include:
- Cases pending for over 6 months.
- Investigations closed due to “insufficient evidence” or “false complaint”.
- 70% of charge-sheets in 2022 were filed after more than two months of investigation.
- Poor Conviction Rate
- Of the average 6,500 cases sent for trial, only around 100 result in conviction.
- 90%+ cases remain pending in courts.
- Other outcomes:
- Acquittals due to lack of evidence
- Compromises, plea bargains, or withdrawal
- Discharges before trial or quashing
- Delayed Justice
- Cases drag on for years.
- Witnesses turn hostile, evidence weakens, and victims’ families often lose faith in the legal process.
Underlying Causes of Persistence
- Patriarchal norms: Marriage is still seen as a financial transaction in many communities.
- Social pressure: Women are encouraged to “adjust” rather than report harassment.
- Stigma: Families fear social ostracization, leading to underreporting.
- Economic dependency: Women often lack the financial independence to walk away from abusive marriages.
- Weak enforcement: Police often hesitate to act promptly in domestic violence or dowry cases.
Way Forward: Multi-Pronged Approach
- Strengthening Legal Mechanisms
- Fast-track courts for dowry and domestic violence cases.
- Time-bound investigation and trial mandates under Section 304B IPC.
- Police and Judicial Reforms
- Sensitization of police to treat dowry complaints with urgency.
- Use of technology for better evidence collection (e.g., body cams, forensic tools).
- Witness protection mechanisms to prevent hostility in courts.
- Social Reforms
- Nationwide awareness campaigns against dowry and for women’s rights.
- Inclusion of anti-dowry and gender sensitization in school curricula.
- Promoting financial literacy and employment for women.
- Community and Family Counseling
- Government-backed counseling centers in rural and urban areas.
- Engagement with religious and community leaders to combat social acceptance of dowry.
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- Encourage a more competitive and efficient export environment
- Promote value addition in key sectors like leather
For Tamil Nadu
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- Boost the marketability of GI-tagged E.I. leather, enhancing rural and traditional industries
For Trade Policy
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Reinforce the goals of Make in India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and India’s ambition to become a leading export power
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