The bride’s family traditionally gives gifts to the groom and his parents under the outlawed custom to ensure she is taken care of at her new home.

New Delhi: Dowry deaths have gone up around 33 per cent this year in the national capital. According to the Delhi police data, 145 women lost their life till November 15 this year while in 2015 the figure was only 109 for the same period. The Delhi police registered 145 dowry deaths till November 15, including suicides and murders of women where they were tortured and harassed by the in-laws as well as husbands. Last year, police registered 3057 dowry-related cases, but this year the figure has reached 3294 in the same period. Also, the Delhi police has applied the Dowry Prohibition Act in 15 cases this year.

The bride’s family traditionally gives gifts to the groom and his parents under the outlawed custom to ensure she is taken care of at her new home. But often, the groom’s family demand more dowry after marriage, resulting in mental and physical harassment that can lead to suicide or even murder of the bride. Dowry is an ancient tradition among all sections of society, probably dating back to the late nineteenth century. With increasing commercialisation, this tradition acquired a new meaning — it became an opportunity for men and their families to get their hands on cash, jewellery and durables. Although the government prohibited dowry through legislation in 1961, it was never properly implemented.