The Right Step

Most major police stations in India have a dowry prohibition cell or Crime Against Women cell with a dowry prohibition officer assigned just to assist in such cases. If you are unaware of the proceedings, there are also various women based NGOs across the country that provide free legal aid and counseling. You can approach them instead, to file a complaint.

Non-government organisations that work with women have special privileges to complain to the police station, when they believe that a person is being harassed for dowry.

Once you have made the complaint, the prohibition officer will then investigate the case and if and only if the complaint is proved will a legal action be taken against the offender.

The government made the amendment in the dowry Act in 1981 to curb the misuse of the law by the bride. The misuse is termed as 'Sowry'. And if you are found guilty of that then it is a punishable offence with three years imprisonment and a fine.

(With inputs from Women and Law Unit for Legal Aid and Counseling, Mumbai)

Also Read: Sex Twist to Dowry Case