Cases of Dowry Deaths and Cruelty by husband or his relatives

The highest number of dowry deaths during the last three years consecutively have been reported from the state of Uttar Pradesh followed by Bihar. As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, Uttar Pradesh reported 2244 dowry deaths(Sec 304 B of IPC) in 2012, 2335 dowry deaths in 2013 & 2469 dowry deaths in 2014(Provisional) which is the highest in the country for that year. Bihar is placed second in dowry death cases consecutively in the last three years with number of 1275 dowry deaths reported in 2012 & 1182 in 2013, 1373 in 2014(Provisional). The states of West Bengal , Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh reported among the highest cases of Cruelty by Husband or his Relatives (Sec 498-A IPC) during the last three years. 

As per the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, a total number of 106527, 118866 and 122877 cases have been registered under section 498-A-IPC (cruelty by husband or his relatives) during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. Similarly, a total number of 8233, 8083 and 8455 cases were registered under section 304 B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Dowry Death) in the country during 2012, 2013 and 2014 respectively. 

The Government of India regularly conducts awareness generation programmes and publicity campaigns on various laws relating to women including Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 through workshops, fairs, cultural programmes, seminars, training programmes etc. Advertisements are regularly brought out in the print and electronic media to create awareness on laws relating to rights of women. The Ministry reviews with the States time to time for effective implementation of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. 

This information was given by the Union Minister of Women and Child Development, Smt Maneka Sanjay Gandhi in reply to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha today.