Delhi High Court Clarifies Criteria for Dowry Harassment Cases

Court Ruling on Dowry Harassment Allegations

The Delhi High Court has ruled that the mere fact of a woman crying does not constitute a case of dowry harassment. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna made this statement while dismissing a petition aimed at overturning the acquittal of a man and his family from charges of cruelty and dowry harassment.

According to the prosecution, the woman faced harassment from her husband and in-laws, who allegedly demanded dowry. The woman was married in December 2010, and her family claimed they spent around four lakh rupees on the wedding, yet her husband and in-laws sought additional items such as a motorcycle, cash, and gold bangles. Tragically, the woman passed away on March 31, 2014, leaving behind two daughters.

The High Court noted, "The statement of the deceased's sister was recorded under Section 161, where she mentioned that she had called her sister during Holi and found her crying. However, the fact that the woman was crying does not establish a case of dowry harassment."

The lower court had acquitted the accused, stating that the cause of death was pneumonia. The High Court emphasized that the post-mortem report confirmed pneumonia as the cause of death, not cruelty.