KOCHI: The Kerala High Court said that presents gifted to the bride by her parents at the time of marriage for her welfare cannot be considered as dowry under the ambit of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The single bench said this while considering a petition filed by a Thodiyoor native against the order issued by the Kollam District Dowry Prohibition Officer, who had ordered to return the jewellery gifted by the bride's parents to the bride.

As per the law, gold jewellery, which was gifted by the bride's parents on their own will, do not come under dowry. The petitioner, therefore, contended that the Dowry Prohibition Officer had no power to intervene or issue an order. Justice MR Anita quashed the Dowry Prohibition Officer's order as it was not clear whether the officer had checked and confirmed whether the jewellery had been received as dowry.

The woman demanded that the 55 sovereign gold ornaments she received for the wedding should be returned to her. She also informed that the ornaments were kept in a locker at the Co-operative Bank. The petitioner informed that he will return the ornaments kept in the locker and the necklace given to him by the bride's family at the time of the wedding. The petition was settled after the woman agreed to this.