Dowry Deaths in India: Long Investigations and Rare Convictions

• A surge in dowry-related deaths in India in the last two months has highlighted the illegal practice of seeking dowry.

• In Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh, a woman died after being assaulted for dowry.

• Another woman in Pilibhit, Uttar Pradesh, was burned alive after not meeting dowry demands.

• In Chandigarh, a young bride died by suicide due to dowry harassment.

• In Tamil Nadu, a woman died by suicide four days after her wedding, allegedly due to harassment from her in-laws for dowry.

• In the 2017-2022 period, an average of 7,000 cases of dowry deaths were reported across the country.

• Investigations into these deaths were slow and convictions were few and far between.

• Only around 4,500 of the 7,000 dowry deaths reported annually were charge-sheeted by the police.

• Only a few convictions resulted from investigations or court procedures.

• Of the average of 6,500 cases sent for trial every year, only around 100 resulted in convictions.

• Dowry was the main motive behind over 6,100 murders across India in the 2017-2022 period.