Prominent women's rights activists have slammed the Law Commission's recommendation to the Centre to tone down the tough provisions of the law dealing with dowry offences, saying the dilution would lead to an increase in domestic violence.
Activists also point out this dilution would encourage the prevalence of dowry system and lead to fewer cases being reported.
"We have opposed dilution of the law in Parliament and in the Standing Committee as well. If the recommnedations are approved, it will put pressure on women to come to a compromise outside the court and domestic violence is bound to increase," CPI-M leader Brinda Karat told PTI.
In a report submitted to Union Law minister Salman Khurshid, the Commission has recommended making dowry offences compoundable -- a move that will allow an accused to escape a jail term by paying a fine.
The recommendation comes in the backdrop of the Supreme Court suggesting it may be time to re-examine the law in the context of its misuse by women to lodge exaggerated complaints just to settle scores with her husband and his family.
"I don't understand how a conclusion was arrived at that people misuse the law. It is, in fact, underused," Karat said.
Sudha Sundararaman, general secretary of All India Democratic Women's Association (AIDWA), said studies by women's organisations have shown that the law is actually not implemented properly.
"Women are reluctant to file a complaint due to the long leal procedure involved and the stigma attached to it. If dowry offences are made compoundable, it will only encourage dowry harassment," she said.
Mary John, Director of Centre for Women's Development Studies, said, "This is ridiculous. The only respite for women suffering from domestic violence was this law. We are totally against these recommnedations as many guilty will go unpunished and fewer cases being reported."
According to the Commission's report, submitted by its chairman Justice P V Reddy, the court would decide if the offence should be made compoundable or not.
This means that although the accused may be arrested in certain cases, they can plead before the court for compounding of the offence by agreeing to pay a fine.
At present, those found guilty under Section 498A of IPC, which deals with dowry offences, can be punished with a jail term of up to three years and also be asked to cough up a fine.
The Commission has also submitted that it was preparing another report on whether Section 498A should be made bailable and what steps should be taken to facilitate reconciliation.
