Govt to look into misuse of dowry laws

Acting on complaints about the misuse of dowry laws, the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development will organise a consultation programme for men.

Following complaints about the misuse of dowry laws by women, the Centre has decided to look into the issue and will hold a consultation programme to get views and suggestions from NGOs and activists working for men.

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Acting on complaints about the misuse of dowry laws, the Union Ministry for Women and Child Development would organise a consultation programme where men from different walks of life would be invited to express themselves on June 25.

"The ministry has received complaints from men about the urgent need to amend Section 498(A) of the dowry law claiming that many women misuse the law to their benefit. After the consultation, the Ministry will examine how far this claim is right before deciding on any thing," Union Minister for Women and Child Development Renuka Chowdhary said.

The Ministry has put out advertisements asking people to write to them about such grievances. The government has received many suggestions and case studies through its website that invited affected persons to share their woes and offer suggestions to check the misuse of such laws.

The anti-dowry provisions state that any wilful conduct that is likely to drive a woman to commit suicide or cause grave injury or danger to life, limb or health whether mental or physical of the woman will be liable to be punished.