Protection Against Dowry Harassment
Demanding, giving, or taking dowry is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment.
🗣️ What this means for you
If your in-laws or husband demand dowry (money, property, gifts) before, during, or after marriage, it is a crime. You can file a police complaint. If a woman dies within 7 years of marriage under suspicious circumstances and there is evidence of dowry harassment, it is treated as dowry death. Any cruelty by husband or in-laws related to dowry demands is separately punishable.
Step-by-Step Action Plan
Document all dowry demands — save messages, call recordings, witness accounts.
Tell a trusted family member or friend about the demands and harassment.
File an FIR at the nearest police station under the Dowry Prohibition Act and BNS Section 86.
Contact Women Helpline 181 for immediate assistance.
File a complaint with the Dowry Prohibition Officer appointed in your district.
Approach the court for a protection order under the Domestic Violence Act simultaneously.
Contact the National Commission for Women (NCW) at ncw.nic.in or call 7827-170-170.
⚖️ The Relevant Law
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 / Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023 (2023)
Section 3-4 of Dowry Prohibition Act / Section 80 and Section 86 of BNS, 2023
"If the giving or taking of dowry is demanded, the person demanding it shall be punishable with imprisonment not less than 6 months which may extend to 2 years and fine up to ₹10,000. Dowry death (Section 80 BNS) — if a woman dies within 7 years of marriage and it is shown she was subjected to cruelty for dowry, the husband/relatives shall be punished with imprisonment not less than 7 years which may extend to life imprisonment."
⚠️ Punishment / Penalty
Demanding dowry: imprisonment 6 months to 2 years and fine up to ₹10,000. Giving or taking dowry: imprisonment not less than 5 years and fine not less than ₹15,000 or the value of dowry, whichever is more. Dowry death (BNS Section 80): imprisonment not less than 7 years, extendable to life imprisonment.
Required Documents
- 📄Marriage certificate
- 📄Evidence of dowry demands (messages, recordings, letters)
- 📄List of items/money given as dowry
- 📄Witness statements
- 📄Medical reports (if physical abuse occurred)
- 📄Bank statements showing monetary transactions related to dowry