Dhaka: Demanding, giving, or taking dowry is now a criminal offence, following the enactment of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 2018. Dowry, a long-standing social issue, has been linked to numerous family disputes, instances of abuse, and tragic loss of life. The new legislation aims to combat this problem by imposing strict penalties on those involved in dowry practices.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Dowry Prohibition Act defines dowry as any money, goods, or property demanded by one party to a marriage from the other as a precondition for marriage, or during the marriage as a condition for continuing the relationship. Exceptions to this definition include dower or mahr under Muslim personal law and gifts given at the time of marriage by relatives or friends.
Section 3 of the Act makes it an offence for either party in a marriage to demand dowry, directly or indirectly. Conviction can lead to imprisonment ranging from one to five years, a fine up to Taka 50,000, or both. Furthermore, section 4 of the Act criminalizes the giving or taking of dowry, as well as assisting in or agreeing to such transactions.
The law also addresses the misuse of its provisions. Section 6 stipulates penalties for filing false dowry-related cases, with offenders facing up to five years' imprisonment, a fine of up to Taka 50,000, or both.
The consequences become more severe when dowry demands result in abuse or death. In such situations, cases may also be filed under section 11 of the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act, 2000, which mandates life imprisonment or the death penalty for causing death through dowry-related abuse. Attempts to cause death or grievous injury carry penalties of life imprisonment with hard labour or imprisonment for up to 12 years.
Ershad Alam George, a public prosecutor at a Dhaka Women and Children Repression Prevention Tribunal, emphasized that demanding dowry can lead to significant legal repercussions. Supreme Court lawyer Advocate Khalid Hossain further noted that even without a demand, accepting dowry or assisting in its collection constitutes a criminal offence.
In cases where dowry leads to assault or death, the penalties are significantly harsher, with the possibility of life imprisonment or the death penalty, he added.