Kerala govt to amend Dowry bill; Accepting is crime not giving?

Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala: An important amendment is being made to the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 by removing the provision that makes giving dowry a crime. Only the groom or the groom’s relatives will be liable for a criminal offence if they receive the dowry. The draft for this (The Dowry Prohibition – Kerala Amendment Bill 2025) has been submitted to the government by the Law Reform Commission. The plan is to examine this and amend the law.

Under the current law, giving and receiving dowry is a crime. However, it is the bride who gives dowry who is later harassed in the name of it. Since giving dowry is a crime, the bride and her family are hesitant to file a complaint due to fear of legal action. The amendment is intended to avoid this.

According to police estimates, 99 women have been killed or have died by suicide in the state in the last 10 years over dowry.

Domestic violence against women after marriage, over dowry, will also be brought under the purview of the Dowry Prohibition Act. If the husband directly or indirectly tortures his wife mentally or physically in the name of dowry (after the wedding), imprisonment for a term of up to two years and a fine of Rs 25,000 has been prescribed.

If a husband directly or indirectly demands dowry (before marriage), imprisonment for a term of six months to two years and a fine of Rs 50,000 has been proposed. The fine was previously Rs 10,000.

Definition

Present definition: ‘Dowry’ means any property or valuable security that one party directly or indirectly gives or agrees to give to another party for marriage.

Amended definition: Any property or valuable security that the groom or his relatives receive from the bride or her relatives in connection with the marriage.

Punishment

Present: Giving or receiving dowry is an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than five years and a fine of Rs 15,000 or the value of the dowry, whichever is greater.

Amendment: Receiving dowry is an offence punishable with imprisonment for a term not less than three years and up to seven years. The fine shall be from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh or the value of the dowry, whichever is higher.

Death due to dowry harassment

Case filed under Dowry Prohibition Act