Dowry Prohibition Act- A Shelter or A Weapon

Though system of dowry existed in India even before the British Rule, the format of this tradition was entirely different. It was a form of recourse for woman in case of emergency in which her father use to give a part of property to the bride to whom she was entitled but not to the groom in shape of land, gifts, etc. And the bride was sole beneficiary of this property. But now days, dowry means goods given by family of bride to the bridegroom, his parents and relatives on their marriage either on demand or without demand which may include cash, ornaments, furniture, utensils, house hold or immovable property. In India dowry is prohibited and who so ever demand for dowry is punishable under Section 498-A IPC.