The offence of dowry death falls under Section 304B of the IPC, which is a cognizable and non-bailable offence.
The Indian Penal Code (IPC) has a specific offense known as “dowry death” that refers to a woman dying from a burn or other physical injury within seven years of her marriage if her husband or his family members have treated her cruelly or harassed her in connection with a dowry demand.
Essential Ingredients of the Dowry Death
- Death of a woman: The death of a woman must occur within seven years of her marriage.
- Caused by burn or bodily injury: The death must be caused by burn or bodily injury.
- Harassment for dowry: The woman must have been subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives in connection with a demand for dowry.
- It must have occurred soon before death: The cruelty or harassment must have occurred soon before the death of the woman.
Punishment of Dowry Death
- Imprisonment for a term not less than seven years but which may extend to imprisonment for life.
