How people usually put it
They are asking for gold and a car before the wedding. My in-laws keep demanding more money. They took my gold and will not return it. A 16-year-old girl in our area is being married off. Is marrying at 17 legal. Sthreedhanam chodikkunnu. Kalyanathinu munpu swarnam venam ennu parayunnu. 17 vayassil kalyanam nadathunnu. സ്ത്രീധനം ചോദിക്കുന്നു, എന്ത് ചെയ്യണം. 18 വയസ്സിന് താഴെ വിവാഹം നടത്തുന്നു.
Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
- Giving or taking dowry, or helping to (section 3): imprisonment of not less than five years and a fine of not less than ₹15,000 or the value of the dowry, whichever is more. The court can go below five years only for adequate and special reasons recorded in the judgment.
- Demanding dowry, directly or indirectly (section 4): imprisonment of six months to two years and fine up to ₹10,000.
- Presents are not dowry if given at the time of the marriage without any demand and entered in a list kept under the rules (section 3(2)).
- Dowry belongs to the woman (section 6): anyone else who receives it must transfer it to her within three months (of the marriage, of receipt, or of her turning 18), and holds it in trust for her until then.
When dowry demands come with harassment, the criminal code also applies: BNS section 85 (cruelty by husband or relatives) and BNS section 80 (dowry death).
Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2006
- A child is a man under 21 or a woman under 18 (section 2(a)).
- A child marriage is voidable at the option of the party who was a child (section 3). That party can petition the district court to annul it at any time before completing two years after attaining majority; a minor files through a guardian or next friend along with the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer.
- It is void if the minor was taken or enticed from the lawful guardian, compelled by force or deceit, or sold for marriage, or sold or trafficked after it (section 12).
- An adult man over 18 who marries a child (section 9): rigorous imprisonment up to two years, or fine up to ₹1 lakh, or both.
- Whoever performs, conducts, directs or abets it (section 10): rigorous imprisonment up to two years and fine up to ₹1 lakh.
- Parents, guardians or anyone who promotes, permits, negligently fails to prevent, or attends it (section 11): rigorous imprisonment up to two years and fine up to ₹1 lakh — but no woman shall be punished with imprisonment.
- A Judicial Magistrate can issue an injunction stopping a child marriage, on the application of the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer or on a complaint from anyone (section 13).
- Offences are cognizable and non-bailable (section 15).
- The State appoints Child Marriage Prohibition Officers (section 16).
What to do
- If a child marriage is about to happen, call 112 or inform the police, the Child Marriage Prohibition Officer, or the Magistrate for an injunction. The informant does not need to be a relative.
- For dowry demands, keep messages, lists of gifts and witnesses; complain to the police, or approach the Protection Officer under the Domestic Violence Act.
- Free legal aid is available at the District Legal Services Authority.
This guide is legal information, not legal advice, and reading it creates no advocate–client relationship. Laws change and every case turns on its own facts. For anything serious, consult an advocate — and if you cannot afford one, the District Legal Services Authority will give you a lawyer free of cost.
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