15 years; 260 dowry-related deaths

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As per law, demanding or receiving dowry can result in a jail term of a minimum of 5 years. But in Kerala, 260 girls lost their lives in the name of dowry in the last 15 years. Nearly 5000 dowry harassment cases are registered every year.

The Dowry Prohibition Act has been in effect since 1961. Even the money given by the bride's family to the groom's family for marriage expenses will be considered a dowry. Records must even be maintained for the list of wedding gifts.

Over the last few years, several women were brutally killed and tortured in the name of dowry in Kerala. There was an incredibly horrible case where a husband killed his wife using a snake. Dr Shahana, who committed suicide by saying that she did not have money to give a dowry, is the latest victim of dowry harassment.

Many people ignored the law as parents competed to "gain prominence" in society by giving more gold and money. Despite receiving 100 sovereigns of gold, three and a half acres of land, a car, 10 lakh rupees and 8000 rupees per month for house expenses, Anchal native Sooraj killed his wife Uthra using a snake to snatch all her property. Thushara, a mother of two toddlers, was starved to death by her husband in Oyoor due to the delay in payment of Rs 2 lakh dowry. Thushara weighed just 20 kg when she died.

In Kollam, Dr Vismaya took her own life after her husband Kiran constantly tortured her demanding more money and an SUV instead of the car worth Rs 10 lakhs given as dowry. Dr Shahana's lover Ruwais demanded a dowry of 150 sovereigns of gold, an acre of land, 1.5 crore rupees, and a BMW automobile from her family.

One and a half lakh divorce cases
The number of people getting divorced in the name of dowry harassment is also on the rise. There are about one and a half lakh divorce cases in 28 family courts. Government officials are required to give an affidavit stating that they have not demanded, taken or encouraged dowry. However, they are the frontrunners among those demanding dowry.

5 years imprisonment

• 5 years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15,000 for taking or encouraging to take dowry
• Imprisonment of six months to two years and a fine of Rs 10,000 for demanding dowry
• Five years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 15,000 for advertising to give or receive dowry

Dowry related deaths
2008-31
2009-20
2010-22
2011-15
2012-27
2013-16
2014-28
2015-08
2016-25
2017-12
2018-17
2019-08
2020-06
2021-09
2022-08
2023-08

One can file a complaint by calling:
9497999955
9497996992