Shivani Gadhavi –
Published On: December 06, 2021 at 18:30 IST
The Supreme Court of India on December 6th, 2021 expressed that there is need of strengthening and reinforcing the Dowry Prohibition Laws in India for the safety and protection of rights of women in India.
A Supreme Court Bench of Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justice A.S. Bopanna was hearing a petition asking for more reliable laws and a Dowry Prohibition Officer to deal with the evil dowry practices that still exist in India despite of the strong criminal laws persisting.
The Supreme Court Bench stated, “You can address this to Law Commission so that changes are suggested in Dowry Law and may be some amendments can be made. By issuing notice (on the petition), nothing will come out of it. Law Commission can look into it to strengthen the dowry prohibition law.”
The petitioner Sabu Stephen, represented by Advocate V.K. Biju, also requested for steps to be listed in the Law which would make it mandatory for couples who seek registration of marriage, to go through pre-marriage counselling and have a pre-marriage counselling certificate.
Advocate Biju stated, “I am disturbed due to the situation in Kerala. Police was suspended for not taking action in the dowry case of an Ayurveda doctor. It is an evil practice in Kerala. So much gold etc is demanded.”
The Supreme Court Bench responded to the request of presence of pre-marriage counselling certificates being mandatory for registration of marriage and noted that it cannot pass such an order due to serious consequences.
The Bench stated, “India does not reside only in Kerala, Mumbai or Delhi. India also resides in villages and you will not get these curriculum experts in the villages. If we say marriage will not be registered unless a course is attended, it will have serious consequences. Think of what will happen to a hapless village woman who cannot attend this course.”
Hence, the plea of Sabu Stephen was disposed of by the Supreme Court Bench which also granted it the permission to approach the Law Commission for strengthening of the Dowry Prohibition Laws.