Dowry can be given at, before, or any time after the marriage. Therefore, if someone has demanded you to pay dowry before the wedding, it is still a crime, and a complaint can be filed.

Complaining about a Demand for Dowry

Last updated on May 11, 2022

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.

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Comments

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

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