DOWRY: THE DARK SIDE OF INDIA WEDDINGS SYSTEM. [SAY NO TO DOWRY ]

DOWRY: THE DARK SIDE OF INDIA WEDDINGS, THE DOWRY SYSTEM

How to deal with someone who demands dowry before or after marriage ?

In cases of dowry it is important to know that giving or taking dowry is illegal and that can be punished with an imprisonment for least 5 years along with a fine of 15,000 or the amount equivalent to the value of such dowry, whichever is more.

If someone is demanding for dowry either directly or indirectly then he will be liable for imprisonment from 6 months to 2 years, and a fine up to the amount of 10,000.

6 steps to remember while dealing with a dowry petition before marriage

Asking of dowry is a crime even before the marriage and Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 will be applicable on these cases also.

Taking or giving of a dowry is also a crime and punishable on both the parties.
In case of a dowry demand, immediately report to the nearest police station under the jurisdiction of the place where the said demand is made.

Try to get as many evidence as you can, like maybe audio-video recordings, witnesses
You can report the matter to a judicial Magistrate/ Metropolitan Magistrate by making an application under section 156(3) read with section 190 of Code of Criminal Procedure, if the police does not register the same.

You can also report the matter to the Dowry Protection Officer. You can know about the DPO of your area by contacting the family court of your district.
The role of a DPO is to prevent the taking or abetting the taking of, or demanding dowry, as far as possible and to collect evidence as far as possible. These officers conduct preliminary inquiries on receiving complaints regarding dowry and prepare case history and help the public in getting the case registered with the police.

Who can apply police complaint ?

They would be wife,

Parents or other relatives of such person,

Recognized welfare institutions or organizations,

As it is cognizable offence, so an action against it can be taken either by a metropolitan magistrates or magistrates of the first class on its own.

You can file a dowry case even before your marriage,

Where the would-be-husband/ in-laws have demanded for dowry.

You can also register a case under the jurisdiction of the police station as to where you reside, but for that you need to prove that the demand was made at your place.

5 steps to follow when a police officer does not register your case:

Try to get the reason for not registering the complaint in written.

Report the matter to his senior. Report it to the SP of district the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) or the Inspector General of Police (IGP).

Approach media to put pressure on the authorities.

Approach local NGOs, human rights activists, etc.

If any of the above does not work, then the last and final solution will be to approach the court. Make an application under section 156(3) read with section 190 of Code of Criminal Procedure to a judicial Magistrate/ Metropolitan Magistrate thereby asking the police to register the FIR.

If your husband or his in-laws or his relatives try to harm you or injure you either physically, mentally, emotional or economically for the want of dowry, then you can file a case of dowry demand under section 4 of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 along with section 498a of Indian Penal Code, 1860. You can also present an application to the magistrate under section 12 of The Protection of Women from the Domestic Violence act, 2005. The magistrate will dispose off the matter within 60 days of the first hearing and also appoint a protection officer.

Place of registration for dowry case post marriage can file a dowry case:

Where the cause of action has taken place, i.e. where the demand was made, or
Where you last lived with your husband or
At the place of your maternal parents.

The allegation of dowry is a serious one, where the punishment is for a minimum term of 5 years. Though you always have an option of fighting your own case, we suggest you to hire an advocate to guide you through the legal procedures and technicalities.



SHARE, IF YOU ARE REALLY AGAINST OF DOWRY !

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ALARMING POPULATION OF INDIA

What is Overpopulation?

Overpopulation is the state whereby the human population rises to an extent exceeding the carrying capacity of our Earth. In an overpopulated environment, the numbers of people might be more than the available essential materials for survival such as transport, water, shelter, food or social amenities. This regularly contributes to environmental deterioration, worsening in the quality of life, or even the disintegration of the population.It is estimated that about 81 million people add to the world’s population annually. Regions with the highest number of population density (the number of people living in a given region) feel the dire effects and problems of overpopulation. Due to immigration, the decline in mortality rates, medical breakthroughs, and increased birth rates, populations will always increase and eventually gives rise to overpopulation.

Cause of over population

Decline in the Death Rate:

 At the root of overpopulation is the difference between the overall birth rate and death rate in populations. If the number of children born each year equals the number of adults that die, then the population will stabilize. Talking about overpopulation shows that while there are many factors that can increase the death rate for short periods of time, the ones that increase the birth rate do so over a long period of time. The discovery of agriculture by our ancestors was one factor that provided them with the ability to sustain their nutrition without hunting. This created the first imbalance between the two rates.

More Hands to Overcome Poverty:
 However, when talking about overpopulation we should understand that there is a psychological component as well. For thousands of years, a very small part of the population had enough money to live in comfort. The rest faced poverty and would give birth to large families to make up for the high infant mortality rate. Families that have been through poverty, natural disasters or are simply in need of more hands to work are a major factor for overpopulation. As compared to earlier times, most of these extra children survive and consume resources that are not sufficient in nature.

Lack of Family Planning:
Most developing nations have large number of people who are illiterate, live below the poverty line and have little or no knowledge about family planning. Getting their children married at an early age increase the chances of producing more kids. Those people are unable to understand the harmful effects of overpopulation and lack of quality education prompts them to avoid family planning measures.

Effects of Overpopulation

Depletion of Natural Resources:
 The effects of overpopulation are quite severe. The first of these is the depletion of resources. The Earth can only produce a limited amount of water and food, which is falling short of the current needs. Most of the environmental damage being seen in the last fifty odd years is because of the growing number of people on the planet. They are cutting down forests,  hunting wildlife in a reckless manner, causing pollution and creating a host of problems. Those engaged in talking about overpopulation have noticed that acts of violence and aggression outside of a war zone have increased tremendously while competing for resources.

Conflicts and Wars: Overpopulation in developing countries puts a major strain on the resources it should be utilizing for development. Conflicts over water are becoming a source of tension between countries, which could result in wars. It causes more diseases to spread and makes them harder to control. Starvation is a huge issue facing the world and the mortality rate for children is being fuelled by it. Poverty is the biggest hallmark we see when talking about overpopulation. All of this will only become worse if solutions are not sought out for the factors affecting our population. We can no longer prevent it, but there are ways to control it.

Rise in Unemployment: When a country becomes overpopulated, it gives rise to unemployment as there fewer jobs to support large number of people. Rise in unemployment gives rise to crime as people will steal various items to feed their family and provide them basic amenities of life.

High Cost of Living: As difference between demand and supply continues to expand due to overpopulation, it raises the prices of various commodities including food, shelter and healthcare. This means that people have to pay more to survive and feed their families.

Solutions to Overpopulation

Better Education:
 One of the first measures is to implement policies reflecting social change. Educating the masses helps them understand the need to have one or two children at the most. Similarly, education plays a vital role in understanding latest science & technologies. Family planning and efficient birth control can help in women making their own reproductive choices. Open dialogue on abortion and voluntary sterilization should be seen when talking about overpopulation.

Making People Aware of Family Planning:
As population of this world is growing at a rapid pace, raising awareness among people regarding family planning and letting them know about serious after effects of overpopulation can help curb population growth. One of the best way is to let them know about various safe sex techniques and contraceptives methods available to avoid any unwanted pregnancy.

Tax Benefits or Concessions:
Government of various countries might have to come with various policies related to tax exemptions to curb overpopulation. One of them might be to waive of certain part of income tax or lowering rates of income tax for those married couples who have single or two children. As we humans are more inclined towards money, this may produce some positive results.

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