Scourge of dowry deaths still prevalent in Indian society: Delhi court

A Delhi court has refused to show leniency to a man and his mother, convicted in connection with the dowry death of his pregnant wife, saying the crime claimed not just one life but also that of the unborn child.

Additional Sessions Judge Priya Mahendra was hearing arguments on sentencing against the woman's husband and mother-in-law. The judge sentenced the duo to 12 years' rigorous imprisonment for dowry death and three years in jail for subjecting the victim to cruelty. The sentences will run concurrently.

In an order dated August 10, the court said, "It is very unfortunate that the scourge of dowry-harassment deaths is still prevalent in our Indian society in the 20th century [sic] and women leaving their parents' house after marriage are not spared by their husbands and in-laws only on account of inability of their parents to meet the expectations of dowry of husbands and in-laws."