There is no time limit on when you can file a complaint under this law. You can file a complaint of dowry anytime after marriage. However, you cannot file a complaint after a divorce.
The practice of giving, taking, demanding and advertising dowry is illegal. In case you have had to pay dowry at the time of your wedding, or someone from your family has paid on your behalf, or you personally know of someone who has had to pay dowry as a condition for marriage, any of the following options are available to you:
- Complaint at the local police station by filing an FIR.
- Complain to the Dowry Prohibition Officer in your district.
- Write to the appropriate judicial authority for your case (Metropolitan Magistrate or Judicial Magistrate First Class).
- Another option is to approach any social welfare institution or recognized welfare organization recognized by the Government and process your complaint through them.
In case you have been coerced into paying dowry, you can still file a complaint against the offenders.
If you were forced to pay dowry and you complained to the police charges of the offence of dowry will not be brought against you.
Sana
August 19, 2022
Please Help Me
Nyaaya
August 19, 2022
Please tell us what you need help with?
Manish Kumar Pradhan
September 20, 2022
Hello I am from Bhubaneswar
My sister’s law house torturing her in dowry case..
Plz help…
Nyaaya
October 7, 2022
Hi, we are sorry to hear about your sister’s difficulties. You can file a complaint on behalf of your sister, if she is facing cruelty or domestic violence. You can find information about the helplines in our explainer, here
Bhaii
March 6, 2024
Why you are not helping all….. Still many are facing case of dowry…..🙏🏻
Siya
February 10, 2024
My Aunt is getting married. Well it’s an arrange marrige but the groom demands dowry before marriage . But we already dealing with financial difficulties and they demand 3 lakh car And 8 lakh cash . The groom is in police department so is my aunt
Alka Manral
April 30, 2024
Under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961, dowry is a crime. A person cannot give dowry, recieve it or even demand it. The punishment is a fine along with improsonment of the person. You can approach your local police station and file a complaint. If the marriage has already taken place, then demanding dowry is also ‘cruelty’, under section 498A of the Indian Penal Code. This section says that if the husband or his relatives ask the wife to meet any unlawful demand for dowry, then it is an offence punishable with fine and imprisonment. If you do not want to go to the police station, you can go to the District Magistrate Court with the help of a lawyer and file a complaint. You can also file a complaint with the National Commission of Women for dowry harrassment – http://ncw.nic.in/ncw-cells/complaint-investigation-cell – this complaint can be done on call as well as by registering it in a written format. You can call the Commission at this number: 7827-170-170
Jayanti
February 14, 2024
Can I file complaint before marriage?
My marriage is tomorrow they are forcing for dowry today
Namrata Singh
March 4, 2024
Hi
My would be father in law has put a condition that if my family will not give him 40 tola gold and 6 lakh cash.he will break the marriage.
Namrata Singh
March 4, 2024
They are breaking my marriage I m in depression