Maximum dowry deaths in UP, Bihar in past three years: Maneka

Citing alarming figures, the government has said that Uttar Pradesh and Bihar have recorded the maximum number of dowry death cases in the country. 

Union Minister of Women and Child Development Maneka Sanjay Gandhi said: “The highest number of dowry deaths during the last three years consecutively have been reported from the state of Uttar Pradesh followed by Bihar. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Uttar Pradesh reported 2,244 dowry deaths (Section 304 B of IPC) in 2012, 2,335 in 2013 and 2,469 in 2014 (Provisional) – the highest in the country for the years. Bihar is placed second with 1,275 dowry deaths in 2012, 1,182 in 2013, 1,373 in 2014 (Provisional)."  

Answering  an unstarred question in the Rajya Sabha the minister said: “The states of West Bengal, Rajasthan, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh reported among the highest cases of Cruelty by Husband or his Relatives (Section 498-A IPC) during the last three years.”

According to the NCRB data, a total number of 9,038, 10,709 and 10,050 cases have been registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively. 

Similarly, 8,233, 8,083 and 8,455 cases were registered under Section 304 B (dowry death) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) in 2012, 2013 and 2014, respectively, in the country.

“The implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, is the responsibility of the respective state governments. The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, lays down a built-in implementation mechanism in the form of Dowry Prohibition Officers to ensure effective and efficacious enforcement of the law. 

The Ministry reviews with the states time-to-time for effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961,” she added. 

The minister informed the Upper House that, “All states – except Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Mizoram and Nagaland, where the dowry system is not in prevalence – have appointed dowry prohibition officers. In most of the states, the duty of a dowry prohibition officer has been given additional charge to existing state functionaries.” 

The Government of India regularly conducts awareness generation programmes and publicity campaigns on various laws relating to women, including the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, through workshops, fairs, cultural programmes, seminars, training programmes, etc. Advertisements are regularly brought out in print and electronic media to generate awareness on laws relating to rights of women.