Question : DOWRY DEATH CASES

(a) whether there has been an increase in the cases of dowry deaths, dowry demand as well as harassment and domestic violence against women;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the total number of such cases reported, accused arrested, convicted and the action taken against them separately during each of the last three years and the current year, Statewise; and

(c) the steps taken by the Government to stop such cases and to improve the conviction rate along with the advisories issued to the State Governments in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI HARIBHAI PARATHIBHAI CHAUDHARY)

(a) & (b): As per data provided by the National Crime Records (NCRB), the State-wise details regarding dowry deaths, Dowry Prohibition Act, cases of cruelty by husband or its relatives against women and Domestic Violence Act 2005 for the years 2011 – 2013 are given in Annexure I, II, III & IV respectively.

(c): The Ministry of Home Affairs had issued a detailed advisory on 4th September, 2009 to all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations wherein all the States/UTs have been advised to explore the possibility of associating NGOs working in the area of combating crimes against women and also that all Police stations may be directed to display the name and other details of Protection Officers of the area appointed under the Domestic Violence Act, 2005. As per Seventh Schedule of the Constitution ‘Police’ and ‘Public Order’ are the State subjects, and as such, the primary responsibility of prevention detection, registration, investigation and prosecution of crimes, including crimes against women pertaining to domestic violence, lies with the State Governments/ Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Home Affairs only augments the efforts of States / UTs through various schemes / advisories.