A committee set up by a panel, consisting of 13 members was set up the ministry of women and child development (WCD) to review the Dowry Prohibition (Amendment) Bill 2010. The committee has proposed widening the definition of dowry by adding an explanation paragraph to the anti- dowry law and to include property or valuables given for “uninterrupted or peaceful sustenance of marriage”. The committee has suggested including property or valuables given at the time of marriage as dowry.
Under the Dowry Prohibition Act 1961, dowry has been described as any property or valuable security given, directly or indirectly, at, before or anytime after the marriage and in connection with the marriage. a new explanation paragraph would further elucidate the phrase ‘in connection with marriage’ to clearly include demands made even after the wedding, that threaten the peaceful continuity of the marriage.
The ministry, however, is yet to take a final view on the recommendations. According to the National Crime Records Bureau, dowry deaths have been increasing. In 2011, around 8,600 cases were registered under the anti- dowry law as against 3,204 cases in 2004.