(a) whether the Government is considering to bring a bill to safeguard the security of
married women;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the National Commission for Women (NCW) has received many complaints in this
regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the action taken by the Government and NCW thereon?
MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT (SHRIMATI KRISHNA TIRATH)
(a)&(b): Provisions such as Section 304 B (Dowry Death) and Section 498 A (Cruelty to a
married woman) already exist under the Indian Penal Code to safeguard the security of married
women. Besides, Special Laws like Dowry Prohibition Act 1961 and Protection of Women from
Domestic Violence Act, 2005 have been enacted to safeguard the interests of women including
married women. At present, there is no proposal to bring any new Bill in this regard.
(c)&(d): The National Commission for Women (NCW) has been receiving complaints from all parts
of the country relating to crime against women/ harassment of women which are registered under
various categories. The number of cases registered by NCW under Domestic Violence/ Matrimonial
Disputes, Dowry Death & Dowry Harassment during the last two years and the current year are as
under:-
Complaint category 2010 2011 2012 (till date)
Domestic Violence/ 2955 3824 765 Matrimonial Dispute
Dowry Death 509 489 75
Dowry Harassment 668 238 44