Syllabus: Social Issues
Context
- In State of Uttar Pradesh vs Ajmal Beg (2025), the Supreme Court addressed dowry-related violence. The Court set aside an acquittal in a dowry death case. It issued comprehensive guidelines to strengthen enforcement against dowry crimes.
Nature of the Judgment
- The judgment examined social, constitutional, and criminal dimensions of dowry violence.
- The Court held dowry, even disguised as “gifts”, violates women’s dignity and rights.
- Dowry was declared incompatible with equality and right to life.
Key Judicial Findings
- The Court restored convictions under Sections 304B and 498A IPC.
- Convictions were read with Section 113B of the Indian Evidence Act.
- The Allahabad High Court’s acquittal was set aside.
- Dowry was described as an institutionalised, coercive practice, not voluntary gifting.
- The practice was linked to patriarchy and hypergamous marriage markets.
- The Court observed dowry prevalence across religions, including dilution of Islamic mehr.
- Dowry was held violative of Articles 14, 15, and 21 of the Constitution.
Current Status of Dowry Crimes
- India records around 7,000 dowry deaths annually on average.
- Only about 4,500 cases are charge-sheeted every year.
- Nearly 67% investigations exceeded six months in 2022.
- Convictions remain low, with around 100 annually from thousands of trials.
- About 80% cases arise from eight States, including UP, Bihar, and Rajasthan.
- Delhi accounts for nearly 30% of dowry deaths among major cities.
Supreme Court–Issued Guidelines
- Governments must integrate constitutional values of equality and dignity in school education.
- States should ensure proper appointment and visibility of Dowry Prohibition Officers.
- Police and judiciary require regular sensitisation training on dowry-related crimes.
- High Courts must fast-track long-pending cases under Sections 304B and 498A IPC.
- District administrations and DLSAs should conduct community awareness programmes.
- The judgment must be circulated to States and High Courts for monitoring compliance.
Challenges in Eradicating Dowry
- Dowry persists under cultural legitimacy as “customary gifts”.
- Marriage markets monetise grooms based on education, income, and status.
- Dowry Prohibition Officers remain under-staffed and ineffective.
- Judicial delays weaken deterrence and erode victims’ faith in justice.
- Dowry practices have spread across communities, overriding doctrinal safeguards.
Way Forward
- Zero-tolerance enforcement through time-bound investigation and prosecution is essential.
- Community-led norm change must complement legal deterrence.
- Economic empowerment of women reduces vulnerability to dowry coercion.
- Data-driven policing can improve accountability and investigation quality.
- Continuous judicial monitoring is required to ensure systemic compliance.
Conclusion
- The 2025 judgment reframes dowry eradication as a constitutional obligation.
- Legal enforcement, institutional capacity, and social transformation must advance together.