Increase in Dowry Cases
The Minister of Women & Child Development Smt. Krishna Tirath revealed in Rajya Sabha in written reply to a question that the National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB) data on the number of cases registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, does not show any definite trend.
As per the NCRB data, the conviction rate under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 was 27.3%, 23.1%, 23.9%, 21.5% and 23.3% in the years 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 & 2010 respectively. The conviction rate in the year 2010 has risen over that of 2009, she said.
The Minister further stated that as per Seventh Schedule, ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are State subjects under the Constitution. As such, the primary responsibility of prevention, detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes against women, lies with the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. However, the Central Government attaches importance to the matter of prevention and control of crime against women and has been advising the State Governments from time to time regarding the steps that need to be taken to afford a greater measure of protection to the women and, in particular, to prevent incidence of crimes against them. These advisories, inter-alia, emphasize gender sensitization of the police personnel, minimizing delays in investigations of crime against women, improving the quality of investigation and setting up ‘Crime against Women Cells’ in districts where these do not exist. States/ UT Administrations have also been advised that dowry related cases must be adjudicated expeditiously to avoid further harassment of the women and also to develop a community monitoring system to check cases of violence, abuse and exploitation.
In addition, the Ministry of Women & Child Development undertakes awareness programmes on issues related to dowry through electronic media, print media & outdoor publicity.
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DK/BS