Srinagar, May 17 -- Dowry is defined as a demand for money or valuables from the groom's family to the bride's family in exchange for marriage. A huge number of dowry cases are everyday filed before the courts by women along with their families. While some cases are based on facts and deserve prosecution, there are instances where some women and their families level false allegations.

If someone has demanded and taken dowry, he and his family members are necessarily to be sternly dealt with under the law under Section 3 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. This Act provides for the penalties for giving or taking dowry as imprisonment for not less than 5 years and a fine not less than Rs. 50,000 or the amount equal to the value of the dowr...