According to the amendments mooted to the Dowry Prohibition Act, failure to maintain a list of gifts, including jewellery, exchanged during marriage will also now be punishable with a jail term from six months to one year. The list has to be signed by the two parties and handed over to the dowry prohibition officer.
A woman who files case under the Dowry Act, can also seek relief under the Domestic Violence Act and the case can be filed from not only where the crime was committed but also from elsewhere.
The punishment for dowry-takers is proposed to be from five to seven years in jail. At present the punishment is five years imprisonment with a fine of Rs 15,000.
At the same time, the jail term for those found guilty of giving dowry is proposed to be reduced to one year from five years. This is being done as "parents of women are often vulnerable", according to a note circulated by the Women and Child Development Ministry to women MPs.
With a woman being allowed to file case from her permanent or temporary residence, she will get the freedom to approach authorities from her parents' residence too.
The amendments also seek to include the victim's parents or relatives in the definition of 'aggrieved persons'. (MORE)
