Shagun
Rohan kage
(Querist) 13 June 2012
This query is : Resolved
My father-in-law gave Rs 2 lac before the marriage in the form of bank draft. This money was to be used for dresses, gifts etc for me and my family.
Now He filed a petition in court saying that money was a part of dowry money and wants it back. My wife has also a list of gifts that she given to my family before and after marriage.
Do you think I am obliged to pay them the MONEY and GIFTS given before marriage?
Thanks in advance...
Devajyoti Barman
(Expert) 13 June 2012
This is not stridhan.
The money was paid as gift.
So you are not obliged to pay them anything.
ajay sethi
(Expert) 13 June 2012
it would be marriage expenses . not dowry .
A V Vishal
(Expert) 13 June 2012
Since it was paid by a DD and there is nothing to substantiate your claim in form of documentary evidence you will need to return the amount of Rs.2.00 Lakhs.
Sudhir Kumar, Advocate 
(Expert) 13 June 2012
dowry excludes customary gifts. DD of rs 2Lakh does not appear to be so. He will allege that he was compelled to do so as you could not even afford clothes for family to attend marriage. You may better return. He has played safe othrwise you would have returned the gifts as well
SAINATH DEVALLA
(Expert) 14 June 2012
Mr.Rohan,
Your FIL was wise enough to give that amount in the form of a draft.Hence you are bound to return that money.
K.K.Ganguly
(Expert) 14 June 2012
You can not prove for what the said Rs.2 Lakhs were paid. Your FIL will claim that it was paid towards dowry as demanded by you.You have no evidence to counter it. You shall have to return it. The articles gifted to you are yours and need not be returned.
Shonee Kapoor
(Expert) 14 June 2012
1. It was gift.
2. If they claim it to be dowry, they have to show how and when the same was demanded.
3. At no point, it was asked to be transferred in the name of your wife, as the Stridhan needs to be restored to her and not to your FIL.
So worry not, at worst you would be asked to refund it.
Join http://forum.498a.org/ and start attending nearest SIFF meetings, if you think that undersigned can be of any assistance, feel free to get in touch.
Regards,
Shonee Kapoor
harassed.by.498a@gmail.com
