Dowry Death and Law ? Indian Scenario

Dowry death is a burning issue of the Indian society since years. The unnatural death of newly married young woman due to dowry is routine headline of every newspaper. Protection of young married women against harassment and cruelty on account of dowry is responsibility of government. Ban of giving and taking dowry - the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, is the one which is most commonly challenged since its commencement all over the country. To deal with this section 304 - B (Dowry deaths) and 498 - A (Cruelty by husband or in-laws) were incorporated in the Indian Penal code in the mid 1980's. Improvement of educational status of females by educational cum awareness programs along with severe punishments to offenders will be helpful to deal with this social curse.