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The Supreme Court on Tuesday flagged the continued abuse of dowry practices and related cruelty against women, issued a set of directions to strengthen enforcement and called for including constitutional values of gender equality in school curriculum.
1 , 6The Supreme Court on Monday, December 15 tightened enforcement measures to curb dowry, noting that the social evil continues to spread in the guise of gifts. The top court said existing laws have proven ineffective and are often misused, and called for an “urgent solution”. (Image: Reuters)
2 , 6The court said that complete abolition of dowry is an urgent constitutional and social need, especially because the practice is closely linked to harassment, cruelty and even death of married women. “Many people who openly demand and give dowry go scot-free. It has been repeatedly noted in various judicial judgments that there are many difficulties in the implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act (DPA), 1961,” the court said. (Image: Canva)
3 , 6A division bench of Justice Sanjay Karol and Justice N Kotiswar Singh issued a number of directions, including ensuring that dowry prohibition officers are appointed, adequately empowered and given public visibility. The court also directed that police and judicial officers be sensitized to deal with dowry related cases. (Image: Canva)
4 , 6To bring about change at the grassroots level, the court directed the district administration, in coordination with the district legal services authorities, to organize regular workshops and awareness programs involving civil society groups and social workers. (Image: Canva)
5 , 6The court directed the states and the central government to include the constitutional principle of equality between men and women in the educational curriculum. (Image: Canva)
6 , 6The bench also requested the high courts to review the pending cases under sections 304B and 498A of the Indian Penal Code and expedite their disposal. Section 304B deals with dowry death, while Section 498A deals with cruelty to women by the husband or his relatives. (Image: Reuters)