In India, a woman dies every hour due to dowry-related problems: report

One woman dies every hour due to dowry-related problems on an average in India, which has seen a steady rise in such cases between 2007 and 2011, according to official data.

The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) figures state that 8,233 dowry deaths were reported in 2012 from various states. The statistics work out to one death per hour.

Police officials who deal with these crimes blame a variety of reasons.

Suman Nalwa, Additional Deputy Commissioner of Delhi Police (Special Unit for Women and Children), said the problem is not only limited to the lower or middle class. "Higher socio-economic strata is equally involved in such practices. Even the highly educated class of our society do not say no to dowry. It runs deep into our social system," she said.

The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, prohibits the request, payment or acceptance of a dowry, "as consideration for the marriage", and dowry here is defined as a gift demanded or given as "a pre-condition for a marriage".

"The existing law has certain loopholes and needs to be made stricter. Despite the amendments made to the Dowry Act in 1983, good results are still desired to be achieved," Ms Nalwa said.
( Source : http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/in-india-a-woman-dies-every-hour-due-to-dowry-related-problems-report-412891 )