From Twisha Sharma to Deepika Nagar: India recorded 5737 dowry deaths in 2024

The deaths of Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida have once again brought the issue of dowry-linked violence into public focus. Both women died within a short time of getting married, and in both cases, their families alleged harassment and abuse connected to dowry demands.

The incidents have renewed debate over a problem that continues to exist across India despite legal restrictions and years of awareness campaigns.

Thousands of dowry deaths still reported every year

Latest figures released by the National Crime Records Bureau show that dowry-related deaths remain alarmingly high.

Data published on May 6 revealed that 5,737 dowry deaths were recorded across the country in 2024. In simple terms, that translates to nearly 16 women losing their lives every day in cases associated with dowry harassment, domestic cruelty or suspicious deaths after marriage.

The numbers also point to a broader increase in offences linked to dowry demands.

According to the NCRB’s Crime in India 2024 report, Delhi once again topped the list among metropolitan cities for dowry death cases. The capital recorded 109 such cases in 2024, leading to 111 deaths.

Even though the figure was slightly lower than the 114 cases registered in 2023 and below the 2021 Covid-period spike of 136 cases, Delhi remained far ahead of other major cities.

Kanpur followed with 54 cases, while Bengaluru reported 25. Delhi’s dowry death rate stood at 1.4 cases per lakh population.

At the other end, cities such as Chennai and Kochi reported no dowry deaths during 2024.

Dowry cases rising across states

The NCRB report also highlighted a rise in complaints registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act.

More than 15,000 cases were filed in 2023, reflecting a 14 per cent increase compared to the previous year.

Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number with 7,151 cases. Bihar followed with 3,665 cases, while Karnataka recorded 2,322.

The report further stated that 6,156 people died in dowry death cases during 2023, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar contributing the largest share.

What is considered a dowry death?

Under Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, previously covered under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code, a case is treated as a dowry death when a woman dies under unnatural circumstances within seven years of marriage and there is evidence that she faced cruelty or harassment linked to dowry demands shortly before her death.

The provision was introduced to deal with cases where women were allegedly subjected to pressure, violence or abuse over money, valuables or other demands made by the husband’s family.

Even with such laws in place, dowry continues to remain deeply embedded in many sections of society.

Twisha Sharma case triggered public reaction

One of the recent cases that sparked widespread attention was that of 33-year-old Twisha Sharma.

Originally from Noida, she had married Bhopal resident Samarth Singh in December 2025. On May 12, she was found hanging at her husband’s residence in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area.

Her family accused her husband and in-laws of subjecting her to dowry harassment and alleged that she was murdered.

The case drew emotional reactions online after screenshots of WhatsApp chats between Twisha and her mother surfaced on social media.

In one message, she reportedly wrote, “Mujhe bahut zyada ghutan ho rahi hai maa,” a statement that resonated widely with people following the case.

Deepika nagar death added to concerns

Shortly afterwards, another case from Greater Noida shocked the public.

Deepika Nagar, aged 24, allegedly died after falling from the terrace of her in-laws’ home only 18 months after marriage.

Her family claimed they had spent close to Rs 1 crore on the wedding but alleged that demands for dowry and harassment continued even after the marriage ceremony.

Police later arrested her husband Hrithik and father-in-law Manoj in connection with the case.

Cases across different backgrounds

Earlier this year, another high-profile incident drew attention when a woman SWAT commando was allegedly murdered by her husband over repeated dowry demands.

The January 2026 case highlighted how dowry-linked violence cuts across professions and social backgrounds, affecting women regardless of education, employment or status.

Why dowry remains a serious social problem

Although dowry is illegal in India, the practice continues in many families through social expectations and financial pressure attached to marriage.

Experts have repeatedly pointed out that fear of social judgement, patriarchal attitudes and economic demands often prevent victims from speaking out early.

The latest figures, along with the recent deaths that sparked national attention, underline how dowry-related violence remains one of the country’s most persistent social and criminal issues.

With agency inputs