Dowry Deaths

As per NCRB data, total of 25250, 26009 & 27148 cases are pending trial under Section 304-B IPC (Dowry Death) in the years 2007, 2008 & 2009 respectively.

The Minister of State (I/C) for Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath stated in Lok Sabha today that dowry deaths are covered under Section 304B of IPC. As per Seventh Schedule, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Constitution. As such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes against women, lies with the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. However, the Central Government attaches importance to the matter of prevention and control of crime against women and has been advising the State Governments from time to time depending upon the need regarding the steps that need to be taken to afford a greater measure of protection to the women and, in particular, to prevent incidence of crimes against them. These advisories, inter-alia, emphasize gender sensitization of the police personnel, minimizing delays in investigations of crime against women and improving the quality of investigation and setting up ‘Crime against Women Cells’ in districts where these do not exist. States/ UT Administrations have also been advised that Dowry related cases must be adjudicated expeditiously to avoid further harassment of the women and also to develop a community monitoring system to check cases of violence, abuse and exploitation.