In order to prohibit the repeated occurrences of this crime, the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 and Section 304B, Section 498A under Indian Penal Code, 1860 were introduced. In 1986, Dowry death was incorporated in the Indian Penal Code. Posted in: Family Law. Dowry Death - Section 304B IPC. Explanation.—For the purpose of this sub-section, “dowry” shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961). The legislature’s effort to curb dowry deaths lead to the amendment of the Act in 1984 and again in 1986. Dowry Death – No Conviction Under Section 304B IPC If Unnatural Death Is Not Established: SC. Hence this appeal was made in Supreme Court. Thus, through an Amendment, a new section i.e. Dowry death under Section 304B of IPC. a death caused which is in relation demand for dowry, by the husband and/or the relatives. The provision in detail provides ingredients which are to be looked into in case of death of a married woman and if those ingredients are there such death would be considered as dowry death. Following is the synopsis of the provisions for dowry death under IPC: SECTION 498A – DOWRY DEATH (a) Husband or relative of husband of a woman subjecting her to cruelty - whoever, being the husband or the relative of the husband of a woman, subjects such woman to cruelty shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine. Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code reads as: 304B. Over the years, laws against demanding dowry and harassment for dowry have been drastically strengthened. Explanation—For the purpose of this sub-section, “dowry” shall have the same meaning as in Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961). Dowry Death Section (304 B) Section 304B lays down the provision for ‘dowry deaths’ due to any burn or bodily injury within 7 years of the marriage because of the cruelty meted out on her by the husband and his relatives. There is the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 which is enacted, and in addition the laws have been made more stringent namely, Section 304 B (dowry death) and Section 498 A (cruelty by husband or his relatives) have been integrated into the Indian Penal Code (I.P.C.) In short, we may assume there are four cases in which married woman is exposed to violence and abuse leading to an offense being committed. The Allahabad High Court reversed the judgment holding the accused liable for dowry death and under S. 498A of IPC. Section 304B IPC along with Section 113B of the Evidence Act have enabled the conviction of many who were not caught by the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The word dowry death has been defined in 304B Indian Penal Code and the term dowry has been defined in Section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961. Judgment. Failure to dowry legislation and rise in dowry death rates contributed to the 1983 and 1986 Statutory Amendment by introducing section 304(b) and section 498(a). The Supreme Court in this case again relied on the meaning of term ‘soon before death’ and held that there cannot be a strict time limit within which cruelty must be proved. Dowry death is defined in Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code, 1860. Section 304-B was inserted in the IPC which creates a new offence in the name of ‘dowry death’. Abhishek Mishra 1,920 views. Posted on: September 19, 2020 Posted by: ... Dowry Death relates to a bride’s suicide or killing committed by her husband and his family soon after the marriage because of their dissatisfaction with the dowry. 10:05. The Supreme Court in the case of Satvir Singh and Ors v. State of Punjab and Anr [6], stated that, in the cases of dowry death, the circumstances of harassment and cruelty to the victim have to been seen soon before her death. A flight attendant Anissa Batra who jumped off her terrace, her parents say, was tortured emotionally for dowry. Section 304B criminalizes dowry death, i.e. The Section 113B Indian Evidence Act, 1872 deals with the dowry death. The expression ‘soon before death’ used in section 304-B of IPC is SECTION 304(B) of INDIAN PENAL CODE AND PUNISHMENT UNDER SECTION 304( B)OF I.P.C. A young 27 year old PhD scholar committed suicide because her in-laws were not okay with her continuing studies. Durga Prasad v. State of Madhya Pradesh, (2010) 9 SCC 73. It is also known as bride burning. - Duration: 10:05. Section 304 – B of IPC states that the death of a woman is dowry death when: It is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs in abnormal circumstances, Within seven years of her marriage, Soon before death, she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives, and; Such cruelty was in connection to dowry demand. (2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.” The Section 113B, Indian Evidence Act,1872 deals with the dowry death. Case Laws on Dowry Death 1. For the purposes of this sub-section, "dowry" shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act,1961 (28 of 1961). Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code would be applicable if cruelty or harassment was inflicted by the husband on any of his relative for, or in connection with demand for dowry, immediately preceding the death by bodily injury or by burning (abnormal circumstances) within seven years of the marriage. Explanation.–For the purpose of this sub-section, “dowry” shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961). Therefore, to that effect, the Act further inserted certain entries in the First Schedule of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973 and section 113B was introduced in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872. A case of dowry death is made out if the following conditions are satisfied: If a woman's death is caused by burns, bodily injury or occurs under unnatural circumstances and the death occurs within 7 years of marriage. (b) cruelty means-i. Section 113B states that: “Presumption on dowry death. Therefore, dowry death is recognized to be one of the crimes committed against women. Image Source: kundansrivastava.com S. 113-B raises a presumption of guilt against any person who has been proved to have subjected the deceased woman, soon before her death, to cruelty or harassment, in connection with dowry. (2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.” 3) Ingredients Essential Ingredients of Dowry Death are as follows : (i) Death of woman should be caused by burns or bodily injured … India has an alarming trend that sees 20 women die every day as a result of harassment over a dowry – either murdered, or compelled to commit suicide. Dowry death is a social evil, To eradicate such evil, legislators inserted section 498 A in the Indian Penal Code. Section 113B states that: “Presumption as to dowry death. The explanation about the term ‘cruelty’ as mentioned in Section 498A can be used for the purposes of Section 304B, IPC. In order to hold an accused guilty of an offence under Section 304-B IPC, it has to be shown that apart from the fact that the woman died on account of burn or bodily injury, otherwise than under normal circumstances, within 7 years of her marriage, it has also to be shown that soon before her death, she … DOWRY DEATH. demand of dowry in the meaning of section 304-B. Dowry Death and Evidence Act, 1872 Section 113-B presumption as to dowry death When the question is whether a person has committed the dowry death of a woman and it is shown that soon before her death such woman had been subjected by such person to cruelty or harassment for, or in connection with any demand for dowry. (The term “dowry death” has the same meaning as in S. 504-B of the Indian Penal Code.) A new section 304-B was included in the Indian Penal Code. 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