Dowry harassment cases on rise in Karnal

Parveen Arora

Advertisement

Karnal, July 23

Dowry harassment cases are rising in Karnal. An analysis of the cases of 2021 and 2022 show that 206 cases of dowry harassment (Section 498A of the IPC) have been registered in the district from January 1 to July 11, while 368 cases, in total, were registered in 2021.

The police have arrested 126 persons in the cases registered in 2022 compared to 339 in 2021.

The number of dowry deaths reported in 2021 is less than in 2022. From the period of January 1 to July 11, a total of 13 deaths have been recorded, whereas, this number stood at four in 2021.

According the police, there are several cases that go unreported due to various reasons.

The mother of 29-year-old woman said she got her daughter married last year and even after lakhs on the wedding, her daughter in-laws were not satisfied and started harassing her daughter. “My daughter is now living with me. A divorce case is also pending in the court.”

On the other hand, legal analysists are of the opinion that the majority of cases are registered with a wrong intension. “I have observed in several cases that false allegations of dowry harassment have been leveled against the in-laws, which were later cancelled or settled down,” said advocate Saurabh Kadyan.

“Before arresting the accused, the police should verify all facts,” he said, adding that Section 498A was a cognisable and non-bailable offence, which was used a weapon rather than shield by disgruntled wives.

In several cases, such allegations have led to the wrongful arrest of the husband and his family, he said.

SP Ganga Ram Punia said: “The police are ensuing strict and prompt action against those indulging in dowry harassment and cruelty against women,” said, adding that many matrimonial disputes were amicably sorted out at the pre-litigation stage.

Police acting tough

The police are ensuing strict and prompt action against those indulging in dowry harassment and cruelty against women. Ganga Ram Punia, Karnal SP