Latest news with #DowryProhibitionAct
New Indian Express
11 hours ago
- New Indian Express
Crime Branch to probe death of Malayali woman in Sharjah
KOLLAM: The Crime Branch has launched an investigation into the death of Vipanchika, a Kollam native, who was found dead along with her one-and-a-half-year-old daughter in their apartment in Al Nahda, Sharjah, on July 8. The probe is based on cases registered in Kollam against her husband Nidheesh, his sister Neethu Benny, and their father Mohanan. Earlier, Nidheesh and his mother, Neethu Binu, were booked under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, and Sections 85 and 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The action follows a complaint filed by Vipanchika's mother, Shailaja, who alleged that her daughter faced persistent dowry harassment and racial abuse from her husband and in-laws. According to the family, the victim had been residing in Sharjah for the past five years. They claim the abuse worsened after the birth of her daughter. Nidheesh had allegedly been pressuring her for a divorce and subjecting her to frequent physical and psychological violence. Vipanchika had reportedly confided in her mother multiple times about the abuse. A purported suicide note recovered from the apartment named Nidheesh, Neethu Benny, and Mohanan as being directly responsible for her death. The note also detailed a prolonged pattern of harassment that began shortly after the couple's marriage. Police said the statements of the accused will be recorded soon. Meanwhile, a parallel investigation is underway by the Al Buhairah Police in Sharjah.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Karnataka high court quashes dowry harassment case against in-laws, but allows trial against husband
Bengaluru: The high court quashed the proceedings against parents and a relative of a 25-year-old Bengaluru resident in a dowry harassment case. Justice M Nagaprasanna noted the allegations against these individuals lacked merit, particularly as the complainant herself admitted to a secret marriage unknown to the family. The case involves two individuals who met in their college years. The complainant frequently visited the man's residence, occasionally threatening self-harm if marriage was refused. This led to the man's father filing a police complaint on Oct 23, 2021, at Subramanyanagar police station. Following police intervention, the woman provided a written assurance to cease troubling the family. Subsequently, the couple eloped to Hassan, marrying on Jan 12, 2023, with registration completed on Jan 13, 2023. They lived separately, with the family unaware of these developments. The relationship deteriorated shortly after, leading to woman filing a complaint alleging various offences, including forced sexual relations when she was underage, brutal assault post-marriage, and stalking with threats to expose private content which the man allegedly recorded on his mobile. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The complaint also included charges under multiple acts, including SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act, Pocso Act , Dowry Prohibition Act, Information Technology Act, and various BNS sections. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 15 World's Prettiest Star In The History Half Eddie Read More Undo The other accused were charged with public abuse under the Atrocities Act. The petitioners contested these allegations, arguing no prima facie case existed. They maintained the marriage was voluntary, and the complaint emerged as retaliation to divorce proceedings. Earlier complaints did not mention sexual assault claims, which were later added, citing incidents from Aug 4, 2019, Sept 4, 2019, and Sept 29, 2019. The court found allegations against petitioners 2 to 4 (parents and relative) lacking substantial evidence and legal basis. Justice Nagaprasanna also observed the requirements for offences under Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Atrocities Act, particularly regarding public humiliation based on caste, were absent. However, the judge maintained proceedings against the husband, citing serious allegations including Pocso Act violations and rape charges prior to marriage, which necessitate a complete trial.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Witnesses hostile, man freed in dowry case after 21 years in Noida
Noida: The additional sessions cum fast-track court of GB Nagar has acquitted a man of dowry death charges after 21 years. Judge Saurabh Dwivedi, after hearing both parties, concluded that the prosecution failed to establish charges against the accused. The case concerned the death of a woman who was found hanging at her house in Nov 2004. A complaint under section 304B (killing for dowry) and sections 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 was registered against the deceased's husband, Neeraj Gupta, and his brother Rajiv Gupta, along with his two family members. The CJM court of GB Nagar on Jan 13, 2005, transferred the case to the additional district and sessions court–II for trial on March 4, 2008, following which the trial began on Jan 15, 2008. It was later transferred to the fast-track court on Jan 6, 2015. The prosecution failed to prove the culpability of other family members in the case, as all three family members of the deceased, who were presented as prosecution witnesses, turned hostile. The complainant in the case, Krishna Kumar, who is the woman's uncle, said that he did not name Rajiv in his statement before the police. Admitting to naming Rajiv in his deposition before the court 19 years ago, Kumar said that at that time, the entire family was in shock and grief, and he named him in an emotionally charged state of mind. You Can Also Check: Noida AQI | Weather in Noida | Bank Holidays in Noida | Public Holidays in Noida Defence counsel Manjit Kumar said that during the prosecution examination, the woman's father and mother did not support the prosecution narrative and corroborated the statement of Krishna Kumar that during the incident, Rajiv stayed in Haryana and that he had no role to play in demanding dowry or attacking her. "They, however, failed to prove that the prosecution witnesses were making false claims," the defence counsel said. The court concluded that since the prosecution failed to prove beyond doubt the involvement of Rajiv Gupta in demanding dowry or attacking the deceased, he deserved to be released from section 304B of the IPC and sections 3/4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
15 years on, man who drugged cops and fled on way to court held
Agra: The Firozabad police arrested Govind Kumar, a fugitive who had been on the run for 15 years following an encounter on Sunday. Govind had escaped on Sept 17, 2010, while being transported from Etah district jail to Fatehabad court in Agra for a cheating case. He drugged two escorting policemen with food laced with drugs and fled in handcuffs. A case was registered at Firozabad's Rasulpur police station by Surendra Pal Singh, the then reserve inspector, Etah police lines, under IPC Sections 223 (offence of escape from confinement) and 224 (obstruction by a person to his lawful apprehension). Since then, the criminal eluded the police by changing his identity. Later, a reward of Rs 50,000 was announced for his capture by the then DIG of Agra range. ASP (city) Ravi Shanker Prasad said, "A police team from the Rasulpur police station, in coordination with the SOG and surveillance team, arrested Govind alias Saurabh alias Bhanu alias Jain Sahab. We recovered a country-made pistol, two used cartridges, and three live cartridges from him. Acting on a tip-off, we tracked him to Nagla Bari crossing on Fatehabad Road, where he was meeting his lawyer. When cornered, Govind opened fire. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo In retaliation, police fired at him, injuring his leg. He was arrested and hospitalised under custody. Legal proceedings are underway." Govind has a long history of crimes, said police. He was charged under sections of the Dowry Prohibition Act and IPC Section 304-B (dowry death) at Naya Gaon police station of Etah in 2008 for the murder of his wife, Radha Devi. In 2011, an FIR was registered against him at the Bakshiwala police station of Punjab's Patiala district under sections of the NDPS Act. In 2021, he and his associates attacked a police team in Mainpuri while attempting to arrest another criminal, Guddu Chauhan, who had a reward of Rs 1 lakh on his head.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Progressive laws are the foundation of a civilised society, says High Court Judge
Madras High Court Judge G.K. Ilanthiraiyan, at an awareness programme in Namakkal, said that many progressive laws have been enacted in our country to improve the dignity and safety of women. A district-level awareness programme for gender sensitisation and elimination of violence against women was held on the premises of District Government Medical College on Saturday (July 26, 2025). Principal District and Sessions Judge R. Gurumurthy delivered the welcome address. Speaking at the programme, Justice Ilanthiraiyan said the laws that promote gender equality, equity, empowerment of women, and prevention of sexual harassment in the workplace are being fully implemented. They are the foundation of a civilised society. As guardians of the law, we are responsible for justice for every citizen. He emphasised that yet, for a long time, justice has remained unequal in its delivery, especially along gender lines. Justice Ilanthiraiyan shared that over the years, India has enacted several progressive laws to address gender injustice and to enhance the dignity and safety of women. 'Articles 14, 15, and 16 of the Indian Constitution guarantee the right to equality, non-discrimination, and equal opportunity. The Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005; the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace (Prevention, Prohibition and Redressal) Act, 2013; the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961; the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017; the Child Marriage Prohibition Act, 2006; and the Pre-Conception and Pre-Natal Diagnostic Techniques (Prohibition of Sex Selection) Act, 1994, provide protection and empower women,' he added. Stating that laws, no matter how much progressive, can only achieve their objectives if they are properly implemented, Justice Ilanthiraiyan said that women across the country faced challenges ranging from gender-based violence, discriminatory employment practices, political underrepresentation, and culture. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) 2022 report, more than 4.5 lakh cases of crimes against women have been registered, which is more than in previous years. The female labour force participation rate in India is at 32.8%, significantly lower than the global average of 50%. Women constitute only 15% of the members of the Lok Sabha. The proposed Women's Reservation Bill, which would provide 33% reservation for women in Parliament and Legislative Assemblies, remains an aspiration rather than a reality. Women now account for 43% of STEM graduates in India, one of the highest in the world, he added. On Saturday morning, Justice Ilanthiraiyan laid the foundation for the construction of five judicial officers' quarters at the master plan complex in Namakkal.
