16 dowry deaths in Chandigarh, but just 1 conviction in five years

The brutal death of 24-year-old Nikki Bhati in Greater Noida and the alleged dowry killing of 32-year-old Parul in Amroha last month have reignited nationwide outrage over the dowry menace. A closer look at Chandigarh’s record tells an equally damning story: 16 women dead in suspected dowry cases over the past five years, 25 arrests made and just one accused convicted.

Police officials maintain that acquittals stem largely from compromises between parties, not investigative lapses. They also argue many cases start as suicides and later converted into dowry deaths, making convictions harder.

But lawyers and activists strongly disagree. They cite sloppy investigations, endless adjournments, intimidation of witnesses and manipulation to prolong trials as the real reasons behind cases falling flat.

According to official data accessed by The Tribune, between January 2020 and September 2025, the police had registered 16 FIRs and arrested 25 accused. Yet, only a single case, decided in 2021, ended in conviction, where the guilty was sentenced to imprisonment for two years, five months and 21 days, along with a ?5,000 fine. That lone punishment translates into a conviction rate of just 6.25%. Even more shocking — not a single trial has concluded since 2023.

Chandigarh SSP Kanwardeep Kaur said: “Dowry deaths and domestic violence are among the most heinous crimes in our society. We assure every victim and family of full support and protection. We will pursue every case with utmost seriousness to ensure no woman suffers in silence. Victims must come forward without fear, and we will stand with them at every stage.”

“Inordinate delay in dowry death trials is a major cause of concern. Adjournments are given too lightly. This amounts to justice delayed is justice denied,” said senior criminal lawyer AS Sukhija, while adding that the parents of many victims die waiting for verdict.

Women’s rights activist Anita Rani said her group provides legal and financial help. “We stand by complainants, but many give up midway, crushed by delays and pressure. Justice delayed is justice denied,” she added.

Another activist, Shalini Sharma, who runs an NGO to help the victims of domestic violence, minced no words while saying, “Sixteen women dead. One conviction. What more proof do we need that the system is broken?”

Senior advocate Rajesh Gupta was equally blunt: “Changing the law won’t mean anything if the machinery enforcing it remains broken.”

Law vs reality

Under the old IPC Section 304B, dowry death was an “offence affecting life,” punishable with seven-year to life imprisonment.

The new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS Section 80) reclassifies it as an “offence related to marriage” but keeps punishment unchanged. The BNS promises sweeping reforms — mandatory crime-scene video recording, forensic reliance, strict 90–180 day probe deadlines, fast-track trial timelines and witness protection.

But Chandigarh’s numbers show these reforms remain on paper only. Investigations are delayed, witnesses silenced and trials stretched endlessly.

7K dowry deaths every year

India records on an average 7,000 dowry deaths every year — a figure experts call a gross undercount, with countless cases remain buried due to stigma or family pressure. Chandigarh’s dismal conviction rate mirrors a nationwide epidemic of impunity.