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.

You have a right to any property given as dowry to your husband and his family.

There is a duty on a person who receives the dowry, to hand it over to the bride itself.

If you fail to do so, you can be punished with jail time anywhere between 6 months to two years and/or fine between Rs. 5,000 and Rs. 10,000.

There are different guidelines on this based on when the property was received by your husband or in-laws.

For Example, Raj and Simran get married on August 20th. Simran’s father has given a new house as dowry to Raj’s uncle, Aman in connection with the marriage. In this case, Aman must give it to Simran otherwise he will be punished under the law.

• If the property was received before the wedding, then Aman must give it to Simran within 3 months of the wedding (before 20th November)
• If the property was received on the day of the wedding or after, then Aman must give it to Simran within 3 months from the date on which he received it.
• If Simran was below 18 at the time of her wedding, then Aman must give the car to Simran within 3 months of her turning 18. Aman must keep it in trust for her till she turns 18.

If you die before taking possession of the dowry/property, then your heirs can claim it from your husband or in-laws.

If you die within 7 years of the marriage, then the property will be transferred to your children. It will be held in trust for them until they are 18. If you have no children, the property will go to your parents.