The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was enacted on 20 May, 1961. The Act stands as a cornerstone in struggle for gender justice by addressing the deep-rooted social evil of dowry. The Act criminalises demanding, giving, or accepting dowry, with punishable offences outlined in Sections 3 and 4. This legal framework aims to dismantle the societal pressure and economic burden placed primarily on women and their families due to dowry practices. By criminalizing these actions, the Act discourages families from perpetuating the custom and empowers women to refuse dowry demands. Also, Section 9 empowers authorities to investigate dowry-related deaths, including suspicious suicides, presumed to be murders disguised as such. This provision acknowledges the gravity of the issue and seeks to hold perpetrators accountable. The Dowry Prohibition Act serves as a crucial legal instrument in combating a practice that disproportionately harms women, promoting a more just and equitable society.
The Act extends to the whole of India except Jammu and Kashmir. The Act was amended 2 times, in 1984 and 1986. It consists of 10 sections.