Latest news with #TellmyJolly
The Hindu
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Women and Child Development department has initialised dowry prohibition portal, HC told
The State government informed the Kerala High Court that the Women and Child Development (WCD) department has initialised a dowry prohibition portal where aggrieved persons can directly file their complaints to the court. In addition, a standard operating procedure to handle cases relating to the Dowry Prohibition Act is being prepared, it said, in an affidavit filed with regard to a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Ernakulam native Tellmy Jolly, challenging the Constitutional validity of Section 3 of the Act, on the ground that it also penalised the giving of dowry. The penalising of the dowry giver – often the victim or a family member – acts as a deterrent to reporting dowry-related harassment for fear of self incrimination. The affidavit further says that the government has appointed district-level dowry prohibition officers. The Director of Women and Child Development department will serve as the chief dowry prohibition officer to administer and coordinate dowry prohibition activities. The government is also taking earnest efforts to see that the evil of seeking and giving dowry is prohibited. The case has been adjourned to September 16, after the counsel for the Union government sought more time to file a counter affidavit.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Planning to launch portal for registering dowry complaints, state govt tells Kerala HC
Kochi: The state govt on Thursday informed high court that the women and child department has initialised a dowry prohibition portal wherein the complaint can be filed by the aggrieved person directly to the court. A standard operating procedure for handling cases related to Dowry Prohibition Act is also under preparation and will be issued shortly. The state made these submissions in an affidavit filed in response to a PIL by Tellmy Jolly of Ernakulam, challenging the constitutional validity of Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, on the ground that it also penalises the giving or abetment of dowry. The affidavit, filed by women and child department director Haritha V Kumar, stated that the govt has appointed 14 district women and child development officers as district dowry prohibition officers in every district. The women and child department director will serve as the chief dowry prohibition officer for the administration and coordination of works relating to dowry prohibition across districts. In her petition, Jolly contended that Section 3 of the Act prescribes penalties for giving, taking, or abetting the giving or taking of dowry, and that penalising the dowry giver — often the victim or a family member — acts as a deterrent to reporting dowry-related harassment due to fear of self-incrimination. She sought to strike down Section 3 to the extent that it criminalises the giving of dowry or its abetment. While the bench considered the petition on Thursday, counsel for the central govt sought additional time to file a counter affidavit. HC then adjourned the PIL to Sept 16. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. "Get the latest news updates on Times of India, including reviews of the movie Coolie and War 2 ."
