In probably a landmark judgment in India's 'crusade' against the evil of dowry, Delhi sessions court has ordered prosecution to proceed for crime of dowry giving.Bride’s father in the dock as city court says giving dowry is also an offenceExcerpt from the news below:One common allegation in all her complaints pertained to how she was ill-treated for bringing insufficient dowry despite her father having spent over Rs 8 lakh in meeting the dowry demands of her husband and his father. While Rita made this particular accusation, she could hardly imagine the legal trouble it would bring to her father.Well, so goes the saying - what goes around comes around. … [Read more...] about Bride’s father to be prosecuted for giving dowry
Dowry
Indian Police on dowry complaints: Shoot first, talk later
Today's news story of Bangalore techie Shubhankar Katyayan is heart-rending of how cruel people will not stop at anything, and literally will kill the 'golden husband' they set out to exploit like the proverbial 'golden goose' story.Treated cruelly by wife, techie ends lifeNow read the pertinent information from the story:Shubhankar’s lawyer Anand said the divorce petition (MC1732/09) was filed on June 24, 2009. In the judicial separation petition posted for hearing on January 1, 2010, Nandini had claimed Purunjay’s custody and return of all gifts she received at her wedding.On July 14, Nandini’s mother Anmana Jha lodged a complaint with the Commercial Street police, alleging that Shubhankar, demanding dowry, had assaulted and attempted to kill her daughter. A number of criminal cases were … [Read more...] about Indian Police on dowry complaints: Shoot first, talk later
Definition and Meaning of Stridhana
At the outset, we may notice as to what is ‘Streedhana’In Rashmi Kumar (Smt.) vs. Mahesh Kumar Bhada [(1997) 2 SCC397], the meaning of Stridhana has been taken from Mayne’s Hindu Law &Usage (13thEdn.). It was opined:“9. A woman’s power of disposal, independentof her husband’s control, is not confined tosaudayika but extends to other properties as well.Devala says: “A woman’s maintenance (vritti),ornaments, perquisites (sulka), gains (labha), areher stridhana. She herself has the exclusive right toenjoy it. Her husband has no right to use it exceptin distress....” In N.R. Raghavachariar’s HinduLaw — Principles and Precedents, (8th Edn.)edited by Prof. S. Venkataraman, one of therenowned Professors of Hindu Law para 468 … [Read more...] about Definition and Meaning of Stridhana
Articles on women, failure of dowry laws, misuse etc
Here are links to some well written articles by Madhu Kishwar who is a woman but does not call herself a feminist, so we could trust her couldn't we?Destined to Fail: Inherent flaws in anti-dowry legislationDestined to Fail: Inherent flaws in anti-dowry legislation - PDF formatAnother article with similar theme but much more detailed:Violence against Women: Good practices in combating and eliminating violence against women … [Read more...] about Articles on women, failure of dowry laws, misuse etc
Results of SIF survey in Bangalore shown on TV
Video 1 summary:Survey of 1100 husbands from Jan 2008 to Apr 2009 in Bangalore, India. 42.3% false Dowry 498A cases against IT people in Bangalore. Case of Bala Murugan, SIF PRO Virag on need for gender neutral laws.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RRxeEtE9rVkVideo 2 summary:Shocking Statistics - 25 divorces being filed every day in Bangalore - mostly by women. Financial independence said to be main reason. SIF PRO Virag explains methodology of survey. SC lawyer Varun Goswami gives views on misuse of 498A. He says 90% of 498A settled before finalization of trial. Extortionary claims made to settle cases.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1l5qGnXN0VUVideo 3 summary:SIF PRO Virag explains reason of 90% cases settlement. Points flaw in UN survey on Domestic Violence in India. Many … [Read more...] about Results of SIF survey in Bangalore shown on TV