(a) whether the Government has received complaints on misuse of Dowry Prohibition Act during the last three years and the current year and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise; and
(b) the corrective measures taken by the Government to make the Act more stringent and check its misuse?
MINISTER OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI MANEKA SANJAY GANDHI)
(a) National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) doesn’t maintain data centrally on complaints regarding false dowry cases and misuse of dowry law by the bride/wives separately. NCRB has started collecting data on cases in which final report ended as false under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 separately since 2014. A total number of 447 and 361 cases were reported in which final report ended as false under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 during 2014 and 2015 respectively. Similarly, a total number of 298 and 293 cases in which final report submitted as mistake of fact or of law under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 during 2014 and 2015 respectively. State/UT wise cases in which final report ended as false and cases in which final report submitted as mistake of fact or of law under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 during 2014 and 2015 is enclosed at Annexure-I.
(b) Adequate safeguards are available under existing laws to deal with misuse of legal provisions, if any. The Ministry regularly reviews the implementation of various legislations and if required, necessary amendments are carried out for effective implementation.
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