If you are stuck in such a situation, here is what to do.

A family from Pune is seeking urgent legal assistance after their daughter Priya Sharma was found dead under suspicious circumstances at her in-laws’ house in Kothrud area. The 26-year-old woman had been married to Rajesh Gupta for two years and had been facing constant harassment for additional dowry demands from her husband and his family.

According to the family, Priya had repeatedly complained about the mental and physical torture she was enduring. Her mother-in-law Sunita Gupta and sister-in-law Meera Gupta would constantly demand gold jewelry, cash, and household items beyond what was given during the wedding. The harassment escalated when Priya’s family was unable to meet the demand for Rs. 5 lakhs and a new car.

On the morning of March 15th, 2024, Priya was found hanging in her bedroom. The in-laws claimed it was suicide due to depression, but the family suspects foul play given the circumstances and previous threats made by the husband’s family.

Advice in such cases

• Consult with Lawyer: The very basic and important step to start is talk to Lawyer / advocate. You should not hesitate in paying his consultation fee i.e. might be in range of Rs. 10,000 to 50,000 depends case to case. He is helping you in this situation of come out. He is expert in the domain and can help you explain the procedure which you might have never explored. A good lawyer can get the issues resolved much faster than you think
• File an immediate complaint with the local police station under relevant sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS)
• Demand a thorough investigation and post-mortem examination
• Preserve all evidence including WhatsApp messages, call records, and any written communication
• Request for protection if you fear threats from the accused party
• Document all previous instances of dowry harassment with dates and witnesses

Applicable Sections of Law

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, the following sections are applicable:

• Section 85: Dowry death – punishment with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life
• Section 84: Causing death by negligence in case of dowry harassment
• Section 103: Murder – if proven that death was caused intentionally
• Section 351: Criminal intimidation related to dowry demands
• Section 115: Voluntarily causing hurt in context of domestic violence

Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:

• Section 3: Giving or taking of dowry
• Section 4: Penalty for demanding dowry

If you are the complainant

• File FIR immediately at the nearest police station where the incident occurred
• Provide detailed statement about previous instances of harassment
• Submit all evidence including photographs, messages, and witness statements
• Insist on proper investigation under relevant sections
• Follow up regularly with the investigating officer
• Maintain copies of all documents and correspondence

If you are the victim

If you are facing similar harassment:

• Document every instance of harassment with dates and details
• Inform trusted family members or friends about your situation
• Keep evidence such as messages, recordings, or photographs of injuries
• Contact women’s helpline numbers: 1091 (Women Helpline), 181 (Women in Distress)
• Approach local women’s organizations for support
• Consider staying with supportive family members if situation becomes dangerous
• File complaint with police before the situation escalates further

How the police behave in such cases

Police response in dowry death cases varies significantly:

• Initial reluctance to register FIR, often suggesting compromise
• May pressure families to settle the matter out of court
• Investigation quality depends on local pressure and media attention
• Sometimes treat it as suicide without proper investigation
• Evidence collection may be inadequate if not monitored closely
• Family needs to remain persistent and involve legal counsel early

FAQs people normally have

Q: Can we file a case even if the death certificate shows suicide?

A: Yes, you can challenge the cause of death and demand fresh investigation under dowry death provisions if there’s evidence of harassment.

Q: What if the husband’s family offers monetary compensation?

A: Dowry death is a non-compoundable offense. Criminal proceedings cannot be withdrawn even with compensation, though civil compensation can be claimed separately.

Q: How long does the accused get bail in such cases?

A: Dowry death cases are serious offenses where bail is not granted easily. Courts consider factors like evidence tampering possibility and witness intimidation.

What evidence is required?

• Post-mortem report and medical evidence
• WhatsApp messages, call records showing harassment
• Witness statements from neighbors, relatives, friends
• Previous complaints filed with police or women’s commission
• Evidence of dowry demands – receipts, messages, audio recordings
• Photographs of injuries or property damage
• Bank statements showing financial transactions related to dowry
• Marriage invitation cards and dowry list if available

How long will the investigation take?

Investigation timeline in dowry death cases:

• Initial investigation: 2-3 months for evidence collection
• Chargesheet filing: Within 90 days of arrest (can be extended)
• Trial commencement: 6 months to 2 years depending on court backlog
• Final judgment: 2-5 years from the date of chargesheet
• Appeal process: Additional 1-3 years if challenged in higher courts

The timeline can be expedited with proper legal representation and consistent follow-up with investigating agencies.

Advocate Sudhir Rao, Supreme Court of India