Karnataka - Bangalore   

Minister for review of dowry ruling

Special Correspondent

State to bring pressure on Centre to get judgment reviewed

EXCHANGING VIEWS: (From right) `Mukhyamantri' Chandru, MLC, Minister for Women and Child Welfare H.K. Kumaraswamy, Women's Commission chairperson Pramila Nesargi and the former Minister Rani Satish talking to participants at a seminar on a Supreme C ourt ruling in a dowry case, in Bangalore on Tuesday. — Photo: V. Sreenivasa Murthy

Bangalore: While a Supreme Court judgment should be treated with respect, there is nothing wrong in questioning it when it is found to be "anti-people," according to Minister for Women and Child Welfare H.K. Kumaraswamy.

Referring to a recent verdict in a dowry case while speaking at a seminar on the judgment, organised by the Karnataka State Commission for Women here on Tuesday, the Minister said his department would hold discussions with legal experts and bring pressure on the Centre to get the judgment reviewed.

The Supreme Court, in its judgment on January 5, in a case that dates back to 1991, pronounced that "a demand for money on account of some financial stringency or for meeting some urgent domestic expenses" cannot be termed dowry. This judgment has created a furore, with women's groups arguing that it provides a convenient loophole to those seeking dowry since any demand can be easily construed as being for a "domestic expense." According to studies, one dowry death is recorded in the country every 77 minutes.

Petition filed

Commission chairperson Pramila Nesargi said a petition had been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a review of the ruling, but it was yet to be heard. Women's groups should make a collective effort to ensure that the ruling was reviewed, and the seminar was part of an exercise to create awareness on the subject and build a pressure group. Parliament could also make amendments to the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 to include "domestic expenses" under its purview, she said.

Anuradha Jayasimha, an advocate, Donna Fernandes of Vimochana and Prabha Murthy of the Indian Federation of Women Lawyers made presentations on the dangerous ramifications of the judgment.

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