Section 4 Dowry Prohibition Act: Penalty for demanding dowry—
If any person demands, directly or indirectly, from the parents or other relatives or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, any dowry, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than six months, but which may extend to two years and with fine which may extend to ten thousand rupees:
Provided that the Court may, for adequate and special reasons to be mentioned in the judgment, impose a sentence of imprisonment for a term of less than six months.
Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, prohibits the giving or taking of dowry in marriages. The act was enacted by the Indian Parliament to prohibit the practice of dowry, which has been a social evil in India for many years.
The section defines dowry as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly, by one party to a marriage to the other party, or by the parents or relatives of either party, at or before or any time after the marriage. Dowry can be given in the form of cash, jewellery, property, or any other valuable asset.
The section also provides for the presumption of an offence in certain cases. If any person is found in possession of any articles, the value of which is reasonably suspected to be the dowry, and such articles are not satisfactorily accounted for, it shall be presumed that such articles have been given or taken as dowry, unless the contrary is proved.
In conclusion, Section 4 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, prohibits the giving or taking of dowry in marriages and makes it an offence punishable with imprisonment and a fine. The section is an important provision in the fight against the practice of dowry, which has been a social evil in India for many years, and serves as a deterrent to potential offenders.
