NyaayaNyaayaNyaayaNyaaya
  • Explainers
    • Constitution
      • Fundamental Rights
        • Right to Education
        • Right to Life
        • Constitutional Remedies
    • Discrimination
      • Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Persons
      • Identification Proof for LGBTQ+ Persons
      • Manual Scavenging
      • Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes
      • Violence Based on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
    • Family
      • Adoption
      • Care for Parents and Elderly
      • Child Marriage
      • Domestic Violence
    • Government and Politics
      • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
      • 48 Hours Before Elections
      • Anti-Corruption
      • Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
      • Campaigning and Elections
      • Identification Proof
      • Legal Aid
      • Right to Information
      • Sedition
      • Voting and Elections
    • Health and Environment
      • Water Pollution
      • Air Pollution
      • Abortion
      • Contraceptives
      • COVID-19
      • Drugs and Narcotics
      • Euthanasia
      • Mental Health
      • Noise Pollution
      • Patient Rights
      • Sex Selection
      • Smoking
    • Marriage and Divorce
      • Annulment of marriage
      • Christian Marriage
      • Divorce for Muslim Marriages
      • Divorce for Hindu Marriages
      • Dowry
      • Hindu Marriage
      • Inter-Religious Marriages
      • Muslim Marriage
    • Media and Communication
      • Censorship
      • Defamation
    • Money and Property
      • Land and Property Disputes
      • Using Your Property Effectively (Buying & Selling)
      • Consumer Rights
      • Cheques
      • Income Tax
      • Online Bank Fraud
      • Rent
      • Theft
      • Will
    • Police and Courts
      • Arrest
      • Bail
      • Children accused of Crime
      • Contempt of Court
      • First Information Report (FIR)
      • Traffic Fines
    • Violence and Abuse
      • Acid Attack
      • Online Abuse
      • Ragging
      • Rape
      • Sexual Abuse of Children
      • Sexual Crimes
    • Work and Employment
      • Child Labour
      • Employment Contract
      • Maternity Benefit
      • Professional Ethics
      • Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
      • Wages
  • Nyaaya Weekly
  • Resources
    • Formats and Templates
    • Guides
    • Maps
    • Videos
  • Blogs
  • About Us
    • About Us
    • Access to Justice
    • Collaborators
    • Media Coverage
  • Ask Nyaaya

Dowry

    Home Topics Dowry
    Dowry is anything of value, including cash and property, which is given by either the bride’s family to groom’s family or by the groom’s family to the bride’s family as a condition of marriage. Indian law makes it illegal to give, take, demand as well as advertise for dowry.

    What is Dowry?

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 1 comment
    Dowry is anything which has value (such as cash and property) which is given by the bride’s family to the groom’s family as a condition of marriage. 1The law
    Read more

    Demanding Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    It is illegal to demand dowry from anyone related to the bride or groom as a condition of marriage.If you demand dowry you can be punished with jail time between 6 months and 2 years and/or fine which
    Read more

    Exchange/Giving or Taking Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    Any person who:gives ortakes dowry, andanyone who helps in the exchange of dowry.can be punished under the law.For ExampleRaj(groom) and Simran(bride) are getting married. Simran’s father, Amrish give
    Read more

    Complaining about a Demand for Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 2 comments
    There is no time limit on when you can file a complaint under this law. You can file a complaint of dowry anytime after marriage. However, you cannot file a complaint after a divorce.The practice of g
    Read more

    Mehr and Dower Not Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 1 comment
    It is important to note that Mehr or Dower given during Muslim marriages is not the same as dowry. The exchange of Mehr that takes place is as per religious and customary practice, and is absolutely l
    Read more

    Agreement to Pay Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    Any agreement for the exchange of dowry is not valid. You cannot go to court if your future or existing father-in-law refuses to pay dowry after entering into an agreement to pay you dowry. The agreem
    Read more

    Ban on Advertising for Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    It is illegal to advertise dowry in any newspaper, periodical, journal or any other media, the offer of any money, share in a business or property as dowry in return for marrying your son, daughter or
    Read more

    Women’s Right to Take Possession of the Dowry

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    If dowry has been given or taken at or after your wedding and the same is received by your husband or in-laws or any other person, they have to hand it over to you as it is your property.You have a ri
    Read more

    Maintaining A List Of Gifts During Marriage

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    Giving gifts or presents by either the bride or groom at the wedding is not punishable when it has been done voluntarily.Bride: When such presents are made by or on behalf of the bride or any person r
    Read more

    Proving a Dowry-Related Crime

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    Usually, in criminal law it is upon the person making the complaint to prove that the person they are accusing has committed the crime.But in cases of dowry the person against whom there is a complain
    Read more

    Bail for Accused of Dowry-Related Offences

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    All crimes under this law are non-bailable offences. Therefore, a person arrested under this law cannot get bail as a matter of right. However, bail can be granted at the judge’s discretion.
    Read more

    Cruelty and Deaths from Dowry Demands

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    Indian law criminalises the actions of cruelty and death resulting from dowry demands. This is known as dowry death. If the death of the wife was because of harassment for dowry demands, the husband a
    Read more

    Cases of Dowry Death

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 0 comment
    When the death of a woman within 7 years of her marriage was unnatural, i.e. caused by burns or injuries which are not ordinary and she had also suffered from cruelty or haras
    Read more

    Guidelines for Arrests in Cruelty and Dowry Cases

    By Malavika Rajkumar | 1 comment
    To prevent arrests from frivolous cases and misuse of the law on cruelty and dowry cases, the Supreme Court of India has issued certain guidelines for the police to follow while investigating cases of
    Read more
    Filter:AllUnanswered
    Can you also file a case under the domestic violence law for dowry harassment?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Domestic Violence, Dowry
    743 views1 answers0 votes
    If a complaint is made against someone for demanding dowry, will they be arrested immediately?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    646 views1 answers0 votes
    Are there any special punishment for death as a result of dowry demands?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    562 views1 answers0 votes
    Can a complaint of dowry be filed before the marriage?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    568 views1 answers0 votes
    Can a case of dowry be filed after divorce?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    597 views1 answers0 votes
    If case for dowry harassment is made against all the members of the husband’s family, even though demand was made by just one person, then are they all liable?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    607 views1 answers0 votes
    How is dowry different from gifts given during weddings, from one side to another?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    638 views1 answers0 votes
    Can I settle matters with my wife to avoid going to court or being punished for accepting dowry?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    605 views1 answers-1 votes
    In case the validity of my marriage is in question, and there are demands from your spouse or spouses family for dowry, can I still complain to the authorities?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    647 views1 answers0 votes
    My in-laws are asking for dowry after 7 years of my marriage. What should I do?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    845 views1 answers0 votes
    Someone I know committed suicide because of harassment from dowry demands by her in-laws. Can the in-laws still be charged with dowry death?
    AvatarMalavika Rajkumar answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    650 views1 answers0 votes
    क्या शादी से पहले दहेज की शिकायत दर्ज की जा सकती है?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1339 views1 answers0 votes
    अगर दहेज मांगने के लिए किसी के खिलाफ शिकायत दर्ज की जाती है, तो क्या उन्हें तुरंत गिरफ्तार किया जाएगा?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1142 views1 answers0 votes
    क्या आप दहेज उत्पीड़न के लिए घरेलू हिंसा कानून के तहत भी मामला दर्ज कर सकते हैं?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1177 views1 answers0 votes
    यदि पति के परिवार के सभी सदस्यों के खिलाफ दहेज उत्पीड़न का मामला दर्ज किया जाता है, भले ही सिर्फ एक व्यक्ति द्वारा मांग की गई थी, तो क्या वे सभी इसके उत्तरदायी हैं?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1210 views1 answers0 votes
    क्या मैं अदालत में जाने या दहेज स्वीकार करने के लिए दंडित होने से बचने के लिए अपनी पत्नी के साथ मामले को सुलझा सकता हूँ?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1163 views1 answers0 votes
    शादी के दौरान वर या वधू के द्वारा एक दूसरे को दिए जाने वाले उपहारों से, दहेज कैसे अलग है?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1230 views1 answers0 votes
    मेरे जान पहचान की एक महिला ने ससुराल वालों द्वारा दहेज की मांग से परेशान होकर आत्महत्या कर ली। क्या ससुराल वालों पर अभी भी दहेज हत्या का आरोप लगाया जा सकता है?
    Adrija JayanthyAdrija Jayanthy answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1208 views1 answers0 votes
    मेरे ससुराल वाले मेरी शादी के 7 साल बाद दहेज मांग रहे हैं। मुझे क्या करना चाहिए?
    Adrija JayanthyAdrija Jayanthy answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1116 views1 answers0 votes
    यदि मेरी शादी की वैधता विचाराधीन है, और दहेज के लिए मेरे पति (या पत्नी) या परिवार से मांगें हैं, तो क्या मैं अब भी अधिकारियों से शिकायत कर सकती (या सकता) हूं?
    Adrija JayanthyAdrija Jayanthy answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1165 views1 answers0 votes
    क्या तलाक के बाद दहेज का मामला दायर किया जा सकता है?
    AvatarSumeysh Srivastava answered 6 years ago • Dowry
    1173 views1 answers0 votes
    Ask Question
    1. Section 2, Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.[↩]

    About Us

    Nyaaya is an open access, digital resource that provides simple, actionable, recallable and authoritative legal information to young Indians, helping them solve day-to-day legal problems so that they are aware of their rights and feel empowered to seek justice.

    हमारे बारे में

    न्याया एक नि: शुल्क डिजिटल संसाधन है जो भारत के नागरिकों  को सरल, कार्रवाई योग्य, याद रखने योग्य और आधिकारिक कानूनी जानकारी प्रदान करता है, और दिन-प्रतिदिन की कानूनी समस्याओं को हल करने में उनकी मदद करता है  ताकि वे अपने अधिकारों के बारे में जागरूक हों और न्याय पाने के लिए सशक्त महसूस करें 

    Subscribe to our Newsletter

    Nyaaya is committed to providing you with clear, actionable information about Indian laws in simple language so you can protect yourself, assert your rights and seek justice. Subscribe to our newsletter to stay up to date with us


    Subscribe to Nyaaya updates on Whatsapp

    न्याया से whatsapp पे जुड़ें

    हमारे समाचार पत्र के सदस्य बनें

    न्याया आपको सरल भाषा में भारतीय कानूनों के बारे में स्पष्ट, कार्रवाई योग्य जानकारी प्रदान करने के लिए प्रतिबद्ध है ताकि आप अपने अधिकारों की रक्षा कर सकें और न्याय की तलाश कर सकें। हमारे साथ जुड़ें रहने के लिए हमारे न्यूज़लेटर की सदस्यता लें


    Subscribe to Nyaaya updates on Whatsapp

    न्याया से whatsapp पे जुड़ें

    Terms of Use

    cc logo attribution logo non-commercial logo share alike logo

    Except where otherwise noted, content on this site is licensed under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 India (CC BY-NC-SA 2.5 IN) license. Icons by The Noun Project.

    • About Us
    • How Nyaaya Works
    • Feedback
    • Disclaimer
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of Use
    Nyaaya - India's Laws Explained
    • Explainers
      • Constitution
        • Fundamental Rights
          • Right to Education
          • Right to Life
          • Constitutional Remedies
      • Discrimination
        • Healthcare for LGBTQ+ Persons
        • Identification Proof for LGBTQ+ Persons
        • Manual Scavenging
        • Scheduled Caste & Scheduled Tribes
        • Violence Based on Gender Identity and Sexual Orientation
      • Family
        • Adoption
        • Care for Parents and Elderly
        • Child Marriage
        • Domestic Violence
      • Government and Politics
        • Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act
        • 48 Hours Before Elections
        • Anti-Corruption
        • Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act
        • Campaigning and Elections
        • Identification Proof
        • Legal Aid
        • Right to Information
        • Sedition
        • Voting and Elections
      • Health and Environment
        • Water Pollution
        • Air Pollution
        • Abortion
        • Contraceptives
        • COVID-19
        • Drugs and Narcotics
        • Euthanasia
        • Mental Health
        • Noise Pollution
        • Patient Rights
        • Sex Selection
        • Smoking
      • Marriage and Divorce
        • Annulment of marriage
        • Christian Marriage
        • Divorce for Muslim Marriages
        • Divorce for Hindu Marriages
        • Dowry
        • Hindu Marriage
        • Inter-Religious Marriages
        • Muslim Marriage
      • Media and Communication
        • Censorship
        • Defamation
      • Money and Property
        • Land and Property Disputes
        • Using Your Property Effectively (Buying & Selling)
        • Consumer Rights
        • Cheques
        • Income Tax
        • Online Bank Fraud
        • Rent
        • Theft
        • Will
      • Police and Courts
        • Arrest
        • Bail
        • Children accused of Crime
        • Contempt of Court
        • First Information Report (FIR)
        • Traffic Fines
      • Violence and Abuse
        • Acid Attack
        • Online Abuse
        • Ragging
        • Rape
        • Sexual Abuse of Children
        • Sexual Crimes
      • Work and Employment
        • Child Labour
        • Employment Contract
        • Maternity Benefit
        • Professional Ethics
        • Sexual Harassment at the Workplace
        • Wages
    • Nyaaya Weekly
    • Resources
      • Formats and Templates
      • Guides
      • Maps
      • Videos
    • Blogs
    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Access to Justice
      • Collaborators
      • Media Coverage
    • Ask Nyaaya
    Nyaaya

    Hey if you have any comments please add them below the explainer. If you have any questions on the law, you can use the ASK NYAAYA tab to submit them. This will help us improve our content based on your contribution. Thanks!

    Stay updated with Nyaaya, connect with us through a newsletter, whatsapp, and whatsapp हिंदी

    Andhra Pradesh

    Girl Child Protection Scheme

    The Girl Child Protection Scheme is aimed at preventing gender discrimination by empowering and protecting rights of girl children through direct investment from the State Government. It provides a number of incentives to promote the empowerment of the girl child:

    • In case of a single girl child she is entitled to receive Rs.1.00 lakh after completion of 20 years of age.
    • In case of two girl children, both of them are entitled to receive Rs.30,000/- each, after completion of 20 years age.
    • Both “single girl child” and “two girl children” are entitled to receive Rs1,200/- per annum as scholarship from 9th class to 12th class (including ITI course) during their period of study, as a benefit under the scheme.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Bangaru Thalli Scheme

    Bangaru Thalli is a welfare scheme for girls launched by Government of Andhra Pradesh. The scheme supports the family of a girl from her birth till her graduation. All the Below Poverty Line white card holders are eligible for the scheme.

    Details of the scheme can be found in the Andhra Pradesh Bangaru Thalli Girl Child Promotion and Empowerment Act, 2013.

    Assam

    Manjoni Scheme

    Under this scheme, Rs. 5000 is deposited by the State Government at the time of the birth of a girl child and the girl would get the matured value of this fixed deposit when she turns 18. In order to be eligible for this scheme, the girl child must be born in a Government hospital and the family should have adopted the two child norm.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Bihar

    Mukhyamantri Kanya Suraksha Yojana

    Under this scheme the girl child gets financial assistance from her birth till graduation amounting to a total of Rs. 51,000. The funds will be dispersed over a period of time upon attaining a certain age and completion of certain prerequisites:

    • At birth: Rs 2000
    • Age 1 upon issuance of Aadhar card: Rs. 1000
    • Age 2: Rs. 2000
    • Passing 12th grade: Rs. 10,000
    • Graduation: Rs. 25,000

    These benefits are available to only 2 girls in a family and residents of Bihar. Girls coming from financially weaker backgrounds will be given priority. To apply to this scheme, the parents can visit the anganwadi centres, fill the application form and submit the necessary documents to the anganwadi workers.

    Goa

    MAMTA scheme for girl child

    With a view of improving the female sex ratio of the State, under this scheme an amount of Rs. 10000/- will be paid to all the mothers who deliver a girl child  (maximum 02 deliveries) in a registered medical institution. Eligible mothers can apply to the Child Development Project Officer through the local Anganwadi Centre with a copy of the Birth Certificate within 45 days from delivering the child. The benefits are directly credited to the declared Bank Account.

    There is an online application for this scheme. More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Gujarat

    Kunwarbai Nu Mameru Yojana

    The Ministry of Women and Child Development of Gujarat has launched a scheme called Kunwarbai Nu Mameru Yojana that offers financial assistance of Rs. 10,000 to only one girl of a family. However, this scheme has been started specifically for the welfare of Scheduled Tribes and Scheduled Castes girls. Only those with an annual income limit of Rs. 1,20,000 (Rural areas) and Rs.1,50,000 (Urban areas) are eligible for this scheme.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Haryana

    Laldi Scheme

    The Ladli Scheme of Haryana is meant to provide benefits to biological parents who have no son (biological or adopted) but only daughters. This scheme is only available to those who are either domicile of Haryana or working for the State government, whose gross annual income of the family does not exceed Rs. 2,00,000.

    The pattern of this scheme is similar to the Old Age Samman Allowance scheme for the families having only girl children. The enrolment of families under this scheme commences from the 45th birthday of the mother or the father whoever is older of the two till their 60th birthday i.e. for 15 years (Thereafter they will be eligible for Old Age Samman Allowance). The rate of allowance provided is Rs. 1,800 per month.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Himachal Pradesh

    Indira Gandhi Balika Suraksha Yojana

    Under this scheme, the families adopting family planning methods after the birth of the first female child will be given a sum of Rs. 25,000 and those adopting family planning methods after the birth of two female children will be given a cash of Rs. 20,000.

    The health department of the Himachal Pradesh government also provides free of cost transportation either through taxi or ambulance for carrying pregnant women to the nearest hospital for delivery.

    Beti Hai Anmol Yojana

    Under this scheme, for all the families lying below the poverty line in Himachal and having one or two girls, a sum of Rs. 5100 will be deposited in the name of girls at the time of their birth. Moreover, to help in the education of such girls, scholarships ranging from Rs. 300 to Rs. 1500 will be given to them from class I to class XII.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Jammu and Kashmir

    Ladli Beti Scheme

    Under this scheme, financial assistance of Rs. 1000 per month is made by the Government from the birth of the girl child / account opening date for the next 14 years. For this, zero balance accounts have already been opened in the Jammu and Kashmir Bank in respective localities. This is only applicable to girls born on or after 1st April 2015, and whose parental income is less than Rs. 75,000 per annum.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Jharkhand

    Ladli Lakshmi Yojana

    Under this scheme, the State government offers a girl child from families below poverty line benefits of Rs. 1,80,600. An amount of Rs. 6,000 will be deposited annually into the girls account till she turns 5 years old. Further amounts will be added upon completion of higher education, marriage and so on, along with monthly allowances of Rs. 200 for girl students.

    Karnataka

    Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme

    With the idea of raising the status of girl children and promoting their birth in the country, the Karnataka government has come up with the Karnataka Bhagyashree Scheme. The scheme provides financial assistance to the girl child in families that lie below the poverty line through her mother or father who is subject to the fulfilment of certain conditions.

    The government of Karnataka offers the following benefits to the eligible candidates of this scheme-

    • The girl child gets a health insurance cover of upto Rs. 25,000 per month
    • The child gets an annual scholarship of Rs. 300 to Rs. 1,000, depending upon her age upto 10th standard
    • The parents get Rs. 1 lakh in case of accident and Rs. 42,500 in case of natural death of the girl child.
    • On completing 18 years of age, the parents of the girl child would be paid Rs. 34,751.

    Along with this, there are certain interim payments such as annual scholarships and insurance benefits that the beneficiary can avail upon continued fulfillment of the eligibility criteria. The grant of such facilities promotes the birth of girl children in economically weaker families and raises their status within the society.

    Kerala

    Education Assistance to Women Headed Families

    The scheme proposes to extend a helping hand to these families by way of providing financial assistance to the education of children by the State government.

    More information on this scheme can be found here.

    Hey if you have any comments please add them below the explainer. If you have any questions on the law, you can use the ASK NYAAYA tab to submit them. This will help us improve our content based on your contribution. Thanks!
    ASK NYAAYA