NEW DELHI: Dowry deaths continue to cast a shadow over India despite decades of social development, legal reforms and efforts to empower women.
The recent death of a newlywed woman in Delhi has once again highlighted the persistence of dowry-related violence, with experts warning that thousands of women remain vulnerable to harassment, abuse and killings linked to marriage demands.
The recent death of 28-year-old Akriti Sutar in Delhi has drawn renewed public attention to the issue after her family alleged that she was killed over dowry-related disputes months after her marriage.
Her death is among a series of cases that have revived concerns about the persistence of a practice that remains officially illegal but continues in many communities.
Under Indian law, dowry — traditionally involving money, gifts or property transferred from the bride’s family to the groom’s family — has been prohibited since 1961.
Additional legal provisions introduced later aimed to strengthen prosecution of dowry harassment and deaths. However, experts say the continued high number of cases indicates a major gap between legislation and the reality faced by many women.
READ ALSO: Rising Dowry Demand in India Leaves Brides in the Lurch
Kriti Kapila, an anthropologist at King’s College London who has researched dowry-related violence, said the practice has changed significantly over time. What was once viewed as a symbolic gift from a bride’s family has increasingly become a form of financial transaction involving cash, property and other assets.
According to Kapila, in some cases dowry demands continue even after marriage, turning into a form of financial pressure or alleged extortion against the bride and her family. She said women may face prolonged harassment, physical abuse or, in extreme cases, death when families fail to meet repeated demands.
Thousands of dowry deaths are registered in India each year
Government figures show that thousands of suspected dowry deaths are registered in India each year. In 2023, official data recorded around 6,000 cases, with approximately 1,200 convictions.
However, experts believe the actual number could be higher due to underreporting and social pressures that prevent families from approaching authorities.
Kapila said dowry deaths represent the most extreme form of a wider pattern of abuse, where women may also face torture, intimidation and psychological pressure. She noted that some cases involve women taking their own lives after enduring prolonged harassment.
Although the overall proportion of dowry-related deaths compared with total deaths has remained relatively stable, experts say the growing population means the absolute number of affected women remains alarmingly high.
The issue has also evolved from being a major street-level social movement in the 1970s and 1980s to one increasingly handled through courts and legal processes. While recent high-profile cases have brought renewed attention, campaigners argue that broader social change remains necessary.
Experts point out that dowry is closely linked with social structures surrounding marriage, family wealth and caste practices in India. They argue that eliminating the practice requires not only stronger enforcement of laws but also deeper changes in attitudes towards women’s rights, inheritance and equality within families.
Despite decades of legal reforms, the continued reporting of dowry deaths highlights the ongoing challenge of turning laws into effective protection for women and eliminating a practice that remains entrenched in parts of Indian society.
