Supreme Court Guidelines on Dowry-Related Violence:
In State of Uttar Pradesh vs Ajmal Beg (2025), the Supreme Court set aside an acquittal in a dowry death case and issued comprehensive guidelines to strengthen enforcement against dowry-related violence and deaths.The Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling addressing the social, constitutional and criminal dimensions of dowry-related violence. It emphasised that dowry, even when disguised as “gifts”, violates women’s dignity, equality and right to life.The Court set aside the Allahabad High Court’s acquittal and restored trial court convictions under Sections 304B & 498A IPC, read with Section 113B, Indian Evidence Act.Dowry has evolved from voluntary gifts to a coercive, institutionalised system linked to hypergamy and patriarchy.The practice cuts across communities; even Islamic mehr has been diluted by parallel dowry demands. Dowry violates Articles 14, 15 and 21, making its eradication a constitutional imperative.
