Dowry Deaths in India: Investigations Drag On, Convictions Rare

Dowry death cases, registered under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (now considered Section 80 under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023), remain alarmingly frequent in India. According to recent NCRB-linked data, there were approximately 6,845 dowry death cases recorded in 2024 and nearly 1,678 cases within the first quarter of 2025 alone. These deaths typically occur within seven years of marriage and invoke legal presumptions if harassment preceding death is proved.

Delayed Investigations and Legal Hurdles

Despite procedural mandates, such as mandatory post-mortems and prescribed timelines of 90–180 days for investigations under BNS 2023, investigations are often prolonged. Fast-track courts have helped speed up trials somewhat, but judges cite capacity constraints nationally. While about 78% of dowry death cases are now concluded within three years, forensic gaps and police training shortages slow down proceedings in rural areas.

A key issue is that trial courts repeatedly fail to establish required evidence of cruelty or harassment. As the Supreme Court noted in early 2025, several convictions were overturned where witness statements lacked detail on specific acts of cruelty, leading to acquittals even after initial convictions.

Conviction Rates: Stuck in the Low Double Digits

Historical conviction rates have been dismally low. A 2012 Delhi Police report showed only around 18% of dowry death cases ended in convictions. A 2025 Karnataka report highlighted this further: in Bengaluru, just 2% of the 610 cases from 2011–2024 resulted in convictions; more than two-thirds remain at the trial stage.

That said, recent legislative reform under the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita has boosted conviction rates to approximately 42% in 2024, a rise from around 32–35% under the old legal framework. And dowry-cruelty cases (Section 85, formerly 498A) saw a rise to 28% conviction in 2024, from roughly 15–20% earlier.

High-Profile Incidents Spotlight Systemic Flaws

Recent tragic deaths reflect both the social tragedy and legal complexities surrounding dowry harassment:

Vaishnavi Hagawane, 24, was found dead by hanging in May 2025 in Pune following allegations of dowry abuse. A chargesheet against 11 relatives and associates was filed on the 58th day post-death; investigation continues over whether it was suicide or homicide.
In Sharjah, three separate cases, including women from Kerala and Kollam, report alleged dowry abuse ending in death. The Yazna case (March 2024) uncovered extensive evidence: WhatsApp messages and recorded conversations, but procedural delays persist as the accused remain abroad awaiting deportation requests.
Simmi, a 19-year-old in Ludhiana, was found hanging merely two months after her marriage. The family alleges dowry harassment; an FIR was filed, but arrests have yet to be made.

Why So Few Convictions?

Key barriers include:

Evidentiary Deficits: Dowry cruelty often occurs privately, making proof difficult. Although Section 113B of the Evidence Act allows courts to presume dowry-related harassment if death occurs within seven years, lack of corroboration weakens prosecution.
Witness Hostility or Compromise: Families frequently settle outside court, leading to witnesses turning hostile or withdrawing support mid-trial.
Judicial Delays & Institutional Gaps: While fast-track courts exist in policy, their operationalisation is uneven. Many regions face staff shortages and backlog, causing multi-year proceedings.

A Call for Systemic Reform

Experts and activists argue for:

Effective implementation of investigation mandates, especially forensic resources and police digital-evidence training.
Stricter Supreme Court scrutiny over bail in sensitive dowry-death cases, warning against casual bail orders that may erode trust.
Community awareness and gender-equity education to shift deeply embedded norms that normalise dowry payments and marital abuse.
Robust witness protection, so families do not feel pressured into settlements or abandon cases.
Judicial training programs at state academies to ensure consistent interpretation and application of dowry-related provisions.

Justice Still Elusive

Despite decades of reform, dowry deaths continue at distressing rates. Weak initial investigations, legal complexities, social pressure, and procedural bottlenecks combine to make convictions rare. Reform efforts under the new legal code offer promises, but without rigorous enforcement, training, and cultural change, the promise remains unfulfilled.

By – Sonali