Engagement breakup
Kiran
(Querist) 03 August 2012
This query is : Resolved
Hi Experts,
I have been engaged 6 months ago and later on many disputes came up and we dropped off from marriage due to the worse behaviour from brideside. we have intimated them immediately after 2 days of engagement about our decision and they kept quite for 3 months. After 3 months they came to our house and shouted on us and asked us to come to their place. Later on they approached some retired police officer and he called us couple of times threatening us that we all will be put in prison if we don't go there and settle. We even agreed to pay compensation though the fault is from both the sides. The engagement is not done in any function hall it is very simple in a small room but with photos and videos. We approached some lawyer in our locality and he contacted them and he says that they are more powerful in this type of cases but one of my friend's lawyer says that I should send a legal notice in advance to be safe side. I am in a confused state of mind what to do.
Please advise what we have to do to be safe side either to send a legal notice in advance or wait till they take some action. Our family is very decent and soft going but they are very rude and shout all the time. Is there a law for engagement? what case they can file on me we did not take a single paisa. They are threatening to drag us on road. what action I can take. Please advise. Thanks in advance.
Adv.R.P.Chugh
(Expert) 03 August 2012
1. Even if you did break the engagement for the sake of argument, then also you can be held liable only for a simple breach of contract, and some civil damages can be sought. It should not make you a criminal.
2. However having said that in India - in end number of cases the bride side would try giving it the colour of dowry - that you broke off the engagement because they could not fulfill your dowry demands.
3. The Fact scenario should be intimated to the concerned authorities.
Guest
(Expert) 04 August 2012
Breaking off the engagement can at the most result in civil liability for breach of contract.
What you really need to guard yourself against is a criminal case. The girl's family can lodge a complaint against you that you called off the marriage due to their inability to accede to your demand for dowry.
Kiran
(Querist) 04 August 2012
Hello Sirs,
Thanks for the replys but what should I be dooing in this situation.
Can I send a legal notice in advance as suggested by my friend's lawyer? Will that be good for me or not. Please advise. Thank you in advance.
ajay sethi
(Expert) 04 August 2012
dont send legal notice . if at all legal notice is received from brides family contact a lawyer and reply to legal notice .
you say you have videos and phots of enaggement ceremony .
you cna rely upon it aas evidence . the fact that no hall was booked for engagement , it was simple ceremony etc will help you .
you should be willing to return the gifts etc received at time of enaggement .
