Delhi HC: Dowry Deaths Show Deep-Rooted Social Issues, Not Just Male Dominance
The Delhi High Court recently said that dowry deaths reflect deep social issues in India and are not always caused by men alone. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said it is even more disturbing that women themselves sometimes mistreat other women, helping to continue the cycle of dowry-related abuse.
“Dowry deaths show that women are still seen as a burden. From birth, their education and career dreams are often ignored, especially in poor families, as all focus is on marriage and dowry,” the Court said.
The Court also said that mental stress and emotional pain caused by in-laws constantly demanding dowry and treating a woman like a slave can be worse than physical abuse.
In many such cases, married women are forced to keep asking their parents for money or gifts to give to the husband’s family. This pressure makes life unbearable for them.
The Court was hearing a case filed by Satpal Singh, who was found guilty of driving his wife to suicide in May 2000. He was convicted in 2009 under Section 498A (cruelty by husband) and Section 304B IPC (dowry death), and sentenced to 10 years in jail.
Justice Sharma said the woman had suffered constant torture, was not allowed to visit or call her parents, and was even denied basic needs like proper food and clothes.
“No woman should be treated like a slave just because she is married. She should never be punished just because her parents cannot meet dowry demands,” the judge said.
The High Court upheld the conviction and ordered that since the man had been out on bail since 2009, he must surrender within 30 days to complete his sentence.
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