IPC Section 304B — Dowry death

offences affecting the human body

Criminal

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

  • S.C.R. 1037 1037 DEVENDER SINGH & ORS v. THE STATE OF UTTARAKHAND — Supreme Court of India (2022)
  • S.C.R. 711 711 PARVATI DEVI v. THE STATE OF BIHAR NOW STATE OF JHARKHAND & ORS — Supreme Court of India (2021)
  • M/S. CONTINENTAL CONSTRUCTION LTD v. STATE OF U.P. SEPTEMBER 22, 2003 — Supreme Court of India (S)
  • PREET PAL SINGH v. THE STATE OF UTTAR PRADESH & ANR — Supreme Court of India (2020)
  • S.C.R. GIRISH SINGH v. THE STATE OF UTTARAKHAND — Supreme Court of India (2019)
  • ... Petitioner vs 1.Nagasubramaniam — Madras High Court (2005)
  • I KUNHIABDULLA AND ANR v. ST A TE OF KERALA MARCH 9, 2004 — Supreme Court of India (2004)
  • ANJAY KUMAR JAIN v. STATE OF DELHI — Supreme Court of India (2010)

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