Dowry deaths not just about male dominance; women themselves perpetuate hostility on their counterparts: Delhi High Court

The Delhi High Court recently observed that distressing pattern of dowry deaths was proof that women are still seen as financial burden and dowry deaths reflect the failure of our societal mindset.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma said that what was more disturbing was that many such cases of dowry deaths were not solely about male dominance but it involved women themselves perpetuating hostility towards their counterparts.

"What adds to the distress is that such cases aren't simply about male dominance and gender-based hostility; they often reveal complex dynamics where women themselves participate in perpetuating this hostility towards their counterparts. These cases continue to reinforce the notion that women are seen as financial burdens, with their marriage prospects and associated expenses taking precedence from their very birth, often overshadowing their education and career aspirations in many parts of the country and financially weaker strata of society," the Court said.

It further observed that psychological stress and emotional trauma of one’s in-laws repeatedly asking for dowry and subjecting a woman to a life akin to a slave can be more damaging than physical violence.

“The collective experience of victims of dowry death, as narrated through their near ones after their demise as also visible in the present case, lays bare the excruciating psychological trauma that women endure when subjected to dowry demands which mean that even after being married, they are forced and expected to keep asking their parents and families to somehow give cash or other expensive articles to the husband or his family as a matter of their right only because they are parents of a boy and the parents of a girl are duty bound to fulfil such demands of theirs,” the Court observed.

It said that the trauma can be so overwhelming for some women that death may appear to be a lesser agony that the relentless torment caused by the demands of dowry.

The Court made the observation while dealing with a plea filed by a man named Satpal Singh challenging his conviction and sentence in the suicide of his wife in May 2000.

The trial court had convicted Singh in April 2009 under Sections 498A (subjecting wife to cruelty) and 304B (dowry death) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and had sentenced him to rigorous imprisonment for a period of 10 years.

Justice Sharma considered the case and noted that the deceased woman was made to endure relentless torment and was not even permitted to call her parents or visit them.

Her phone calls to parents were rationed and she was denied basic necessities like food and clothing, the Court noted.

“To subject a woman to a life akin to a slave merely because of her marital status is an egregious injustice… She should never become a target, facing the threat of violence or deprivation, merely because her parents cannot satisfy the insatiable demands of her in-laws," the Court said.  

Therefore, the Court upheld the trial court order and said that since the convict has been on bail since 2009, he shall surrender in 30 days to serve the unexpired portion of his sentence.

Advocates Puruesh Buttan, Himanshu Buttan and Shivam Handa appeared for appellant Satpal Singh.

Additional Public Prosecutor (APP) Naresh Kumar Chahar represented the State.

[Read Judgment]