38.6c New Delhi, India, Friday, December 13, 2024
Breaking News
Top Stories Supreme Court
Political NEWS Legislative Corner Celebstreet International Videos
Subscribe Contact Us
close
Judiciary

Value of married women not contingent on insatiable financial demands of in-laws: Delhi High Court [Read Judgment]

By Rintu Mariam Biju      12 January, 2024 05:55 PM      0 Comments
Value of married women not contingent on insatiable financial demands of in-laws: Delhi High Court [Read Judgment]

NEW DELHI: While lamenting over the number of cases pertaining to dowry demands, the Delhi High Court has passed an important judgement highlighting how a married womans worth shouldnt be contingent on her parents' ability to meet the insatiable financial demands from her in-laws. 

The persistent prevalence of regressive mindsets and instances exemplified by cases involving insatiable demands for dowry underscores a broader societal concern. It highlights the challenges faced by married women, whose intrinsic value and dignity should not be contingent upon their parents' ability to meet the insatiable financial demands from their in-laws, Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma observed while adding that these expectations, apart from causing great burden on the woman and her family, is also against the spirit of gender equality. 

In contemporary times, the idea of a woman's worth being tied to material considerations, such as dowry, contradicts the principles of equality and dignity. The notion that a woman's value diminishes if her parents cannot fulfill dowry expectations of her husband and in-laws reflects a deep-seated bias and discrimination against women. Such expectations not only violate the principles of gender equality but also contribute to an environment where women are objectified and reduced to mere transactions space, love, affection and support, the new bride is met with unrelenting greed and harassment from the very individuals who she and her family have put their faith in, the adverse consequences of such unexpected consequences extend beyond the immediate victims, affecting the deceased's parental family inflicting profound emotional trauma

The Court was hearing a bail application against one in a dowry death case (Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code). In the case, the husband along with his other family members used to subject his wife to mental and physical torment, on account of demand for dowry ultimately leading to her committing suicide. 

The complainant, the deceaseds parent alleged that the accused and his family pressured the deceased for additional dowry and financial demands, causing significant distress. Further, the deceased was taunted and mistreated for giving birth to girl children. 

The tragic aspect of this case lies in the fact that the deceased was allegedly subjected to harassment at the hands of her husband and in-laws for bringing insufficient dowry, a car smaller than they had expected which they used to call as iron box and used to mock her for the same. Additionally, she was allegedly continuously nagged and harassed for giving birth to two daughters, the Court noted. 

It is unsettling to see a situation where the parents' intentions are to ensure their child's well-being and comfort as she moves from her birthplace to a new home known as her matrimonial home. This is because a woman sometimes needs time to get used to a new lifestyle and occasionally to the different cultural values that her new family may hold. When, rather of offering consolation, if the in-laws taunt the child, it will be very difficult, the high court expressed. 

.a society that emphasizes equality and strives for equal progress of women and women empowerment, incidents as the present one are etched as disheartening markers on the path of equal societal advancement for women, the Court said before dismissing the bail application.

 

[Read Judgment]



Share this article:

About:

Rintu Mariam Biju graduated from the National University of Advanced Legal Studies, Kochi after comp...Read more

Follow:
FacebookTwitterLinkedinInstagram


Leave a feedback about this
Related Posts
View All

'Without documentary proof, Waqf Board can't lay claim over any property' 'Without documentary proof, Waqf Board can't lay claim over any property'

In 2012, the Anjuman Committee addressed a letter to the Chairman of the Waqf Board stating there is a wall and Chabutrah (platform) on a 'Tiranga Ki Qalandari Masjid where in olden times laborers used to offer prayers.

Delhi High Court Sets Aside Arbitral Tribunal's Award Against NHAI in Highway Project Delay Case [Read Judgment] Delhi High Court Sets Aside Arbitral Tribunal's Award Against NHAI in Highway Project Delay Case [Read Judgment]

The Delhi High Court sets aside an Arbitral Tribunal's award favoring IRB Pathankot Amritsar Toll Road Ltd over a delay in a highway project. The court finds that the tribunal did not address the essential dispute of whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) was in material default, rendering the award invalid.

Delhi Court Rejects Stay Request in Defamation Case Against Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot [Read Order] Delhi Court Rejects Stay Request in Defamation Case Against Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot [Read Order]

A Delhi court refuses to stay the defamation case filed by Union Cabinet minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat against Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. The court declined to stay the summons and sets a hearing date for August 19.

Delhi High Court to Commence Daily Hearings on August 28 for Appeals Against Acquittals in 2G Case Delhi High Court to Commence Daily Hearings on August 28 for Appeals Against Acquittals in 2G Case

Delhi High Court is set to begin day-to-day hearings from August 28 for appeals by CBI and ED against acquittals in the 2G spectrum allocation case, expressing displeasure over adjournment requests. The case involves former telecom minister A Raja and business entities. Learn about the proceedings and details of the case.

TRENDING NEWS


TOP STORIES

agustawestland-sc-notice-to-cbi-on-bail-plea-of-british-national-christian-michel-james
Trending Judiciary
AgustaWestland: SC notice to CBI on bail plea of British national Christian Michel James

Supreme Court issues notice to CBI on Christian Michel’s bail plea in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper scam. Response sought in 4 weeks.

07 December, 2024 01:41 AM
gyanvapi-mosque-committee-seeks-intervention-in-pleas-against-1991-act
Trending Judiciary
Gyanvapi mosque committee seeks intervention in pleas against 1991 Act

Gyanvapi mosque committee moves SC to intervene in pleas against Places of Worship Act, 1991, citing threats to communal harmony and rule of law.

07 December, 2024 01:55 AM
cant-prohibit-active-member-of-political-party-to-contest-bar-bodies-polls-sc
Trending Judiciary
Can't prohibit active member of political party to contest Bar bodies polls: SC

SC: No law prohibits active political party members from contesting Bar body polls, rejects plea for a ban, emphasizing constitutional democracy.

07 December, 2024 03:03 AM
sc-upholds-conviction-sentence-of-life-term-upon-udf-sympathiser-for-2006-murder-of-ldf-worker
Trending Judiciary
SC upholds conviction, sentence of life term upon UDF sympathiser for 2006 murder of LDF worker [Read Judgment]

SC upholds life term for UDF sympathiser in 2006 LDF worker murder, rejecting pleas of private defense, old age, and lack of premeditation.

07 December, 2024 03:53 AM

ADVERTISEMENT


Join Group

Signup for Our Newsletter

Get Exclusive access to members only content by email