How to Tackle Dowry Demands in India
Case 1: Twenty-five-year-old Anchal made a last phone call to her father. She was weeping bitterly on the phone and wanted to come home. Her husband Nitin, an IT manager had been beating her brutally while his parents constantly goaded her for not bringing enough dowry. The jewellery, car, household items and furniture her parents had shelled out at the time of marriage was not enough. Three days later, her father got a call from the police. Anchal had succumbed to burn injuries at the hospital after an ‘accident’ in the kitchen. Case 2: The marriage venue and wedding arrangements were perfect. Twenty-seven-year-old school teacher Paridhi was looking forward to the arrival of her future husband Aakash. As the wedding party arrived at banquet hall, Paridhi heard angry, raised voices. Aakash and his parents demanded Rs 50 lakh from Paridhi’s family. They refused to step inside the venue till their demands were not met. A furious Paridhi telephoned the police. Aakash and his family