New Delhi: This may act as a reminder that “giving” dowry is also an offence. In perhaps the first of its kind case, a Noida court has ordered the registration of a criminal case against a woman, her parents and brother for allegedly giving dowry.

The Noida chief judicial magistrate ordered the registration of an FIR against Sarita (name changed) and her family members after her husband Hari (name changed) filed a complaint alleging that they were trying to extort money by filing a dowry demand case against him. Hari is an engineer.

Hari, who spent a week in jail after the allegation, said the police did not verify the financial background of his in-laws who claimed they had given Rs 12 lakh and a Maruti Alto as dowry to him.

Hari also contended that, in any case, dowry-givers are considered accomplices under the Dowry Prohibition Act. Hari used the Right to Information (RTI) Act to challenge his wife’s claim and the police’s refusal to register a case on his complaint.

The RTI reply showed that the police registered the case against Hari on the verbal complaint of Sarita and that the charges against him were never verified, his counsel Pradeep Nawari said.

The Delhi High Court had recently said women or their parents who go ahead with marriage despite dowry demands from the bridegroom’s side would have to be seen as “accomplices to the crime” and “will face prosecution” under the Dowry Prohibition Act.

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