Complaining about a Demand for Dowry

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There is no time limit on when you can file a complaint under this law. You can file a complaint of dowry anytime after marriage. However, you cannot file a complaint after a divorce.

The practice of giving, taking, demanding and advertising dowry is illegal. In case you have had to pay dowry at the time of your wedding, or someone from your family has paid on your behalf, or you personally know of someone who has had to pay dowry as a condition for marriage, any of the following options are available to you:

Complaint at the local police station by filing an FIR.
Complain to the Dowry Prohibition Officer in your district.
Write to the appropriate judicial authority for your case (Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate First Class).
Another option is to approach any social welfare institution or recognized welfare organization recognized by the Government and process your complaint through them.

In case you have been coerced into paying dowry, you can still file a complaint against the offenders.

If you were forced to pay dowry and you complained to the police charges of the offence of dowry will not be brought against you.

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Related Resources

What is Dowry?

Dowry is anything which has value (such as cash and property) which is given by the bride’s family to the groom’s family as a condition of marriage.

Women’s Right to Take Possession of the Dowry

If dowry has been given or taken at or after your wedding and the same is received by your husband or in-laws or any other person, they have to hand it over to you as it is your property.

Maintaining A List Of Gifts During Marriage

Giving gifts or presents by either the bride or groom at the wedding is not punishable when it has been done voluntarily.

Demanding Dowry

Under the Indian law, it is illegal to demand dowry from anyone related to the bride or groom as a condition of marriage.

Mehr and Dower Not Dowry

According to the Indian law, It is important to note that Mehr or Dower given during Muslim marriages is not the same as dowry.

Cases of Dowry Death

When the death of a woman within 7 years of her marriage was unnatural, i.e. caused by burns or injuries which are not ordinary, t is assumed that the husband or the relatives of the husband committed the crime of cruelty.