In Delhi, no dowry-related convictions in last 4 years

ALARMING At least 715 women have died in cases related to dowry violence in the past fives years, finds an investigation by HT

The city of Delhi witnesses at least 10 dowry cases being registered every day. However, there has not been a single conviction in any dowry case registered in the last four years across the city.

A senior police officer, wishing not to be named, said in 90-95% cases, couples compromise. “Collecting evidence is difficult because the harassment and abuse is reported months after the crime. In many cases, women withdraw their complaints. Dowry items are returned. Families get involved and they compromise,” the officer said.

Out of the 1,330 cases (all pending trial) that HT analysed, most cases were registered from areas of Vijay Vihar (34), Dabri (32), Tilak Nagar (31), Gokulpuri (25) and Bindapur(25).

The number of cases can also be directly related to the population of an area. In terms of ratio between dowry and other cases, areas such as Sagarpur and Dabri had the most number of dowry cases. In Sagarpur, out of 139 cases, 20(14.38%) and in Dabri, out of the 248 cases, 32(12.90%) were dowry cases.

In the last five years, 715 women have died in cases allegedly related to dowry. All the dowry death cases between 2012 and 2016 were registered on the orders of sub-divisional magistrate or a court. Jyoti Nagar, Aman Vihar, Sagarpur and Narela and Samaipur Badli registered the most dowry deaths.

Out of the 54 dowry deaths till June this year, there were four deaths in Jyoti Nagar followed by three in the other four areas. Aman Vihar, where three dowry deaths were reported is also infamous for its crimes against women. Aman Vihar police station usually figures in list of stations where most rapes are reported.

In the country’s most populated jail, Tihar, there are only 11 persons who have been convicted for dowry harassment, out of over 14,000 prisoners. Less than 0.6% (76) prisoners are dowry case undertrials.

The Supreme Court had recently ordered the police to not make arrests in dowry cases without evidence. “In Delhi, even an SHO is not authorized to order arrests in dowry cases. We do it only after getting orders, that too in writing from the district DCP. Before this we send couples for counselling or mediation,” the officer said.

The scale of dowry harassment cases can be gauged by Delhi police annual crime data. Crimes such as murder, rape, robbery, dacoity or riots have reduced every consecutive year or shown a marginal rise but not dowry cases. Since 2012, dowry cases have increase every year.

In July first week, when HT started research on the dowry cases this year (detailed story on Page 1), there were 54 alleged dowry deaths reported till June 30. Last evening, when HT checked the latest dowry death figures (till July 31), the number had reached 75.