IPC Section 304B — Dowry death

offences affecting the human body

Criminal

Punishment

Imprisonment 7 years to life

As the section puts it: “shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life”

Summary

If a woman dies from burns, bodily injury, or under unusual circumstances within seven years of her marriage, and it is shown that just before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or a relative of her husband because of a demand for dowry, then this death is called "dowry death." In such a case, the husband or relative is considered to have caused her death. The term "dowry" here has the same meaning as in the Dowry Prohibition Act. Anyone found guilty of dowry death faces a prison sentence of at least seven years, which can be extended to life imprisonment.

Official Text

(1) Where the death of a woman is caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within seven years of her marriage and it is shown that soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband for, or in connection with, any demand for dowry, such death shall be called "dowry death", and such husband or relative shall be deemed to have caused her death.

Explanation.—For the purposes of this sub-section, "dowry" shall have the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (28 of 1961).

(2) Whoever commits dowry death shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.

Related Provisions

dowry death

Related Judgments

  • DEVENDER SINGH & ORS. vs THE STATE OF UTTARAKHAND — Supreme Court of India (2022)
  • GANANATH PATTANAIK vs STATE OF ORISSA — Supreme Court of India (2002)
  • KALIYAPERUMAL AND ANR. vs STATE OF TAMIL NADU — Supreme Court of India (2003)
  • SANJAY KUMAR JAIN vs STATE OF DELHI — Supreme Court of India (2010)
  • KUNHIABDULLA AND ANR. vs STATE OF KERALA — Supreme Court of India (2004)
  • PARVATI DEVI vs THE STATE OF BIHAR NOW STATE OF JHARKHAND & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2021)

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