Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh report most dowry deaths

NEW DELHI - Uttar Pradesh, Bihar and Madhya Pradesh report the highest number of dowry deaths in the country, the Lok Sabha was informed Monday.

Women and Child Development Minister Krishna Tirath said the number of dowry deaths and cruelty by husbands and their relatives dipped in the country last year.

There were 7,456 dowry deaths reported last year, as compared to 8,172 in 2008 in India. The figure was 8,093 in 2007.

According to the minister, cases of cruelty against women also saw a dip. In 2009, there were 70,316 cases as compared to 81,344 in 2008. In 2007, 75,930 such cases were registered.

However, dowry deaths in some states haven’t shown any signs of decline.

In Uttar Pradesh, 2,386 deaths were reported, as compared to 2,237 in 2008. Similarly, in Bihar, 918 dowry deaths were reported last year, as compared to 1,210 in 2008. In Madhya Pradesh, 834 women were killed for dowry as compared to 805 in 2008.

Andhra Pradesh saw a rise in the figure too. While last year, the figure was 675, it was 556 in 2008.

In West Bengal, 574 dowry deaths occurred as compared to 451 in 2008. Karnataka had 327 dowry deaths, as opposed to 259 cases in 2008.

Delhi also saw a rise with 136 dowry deaths, as compared to 129 in 2008. In 2007, the figure was 138. In Punjab, about 132 such cases were reported as opposed to 128 in 2008.

Some states showed improvement. Maharashtra reported 361 dowry deaths last year, as compared to 390. Rajasthan last year recorded 230 dowry deaths, significantly lower than 439 such deaths in 2008.

In Haryana, 214 dowry deaths occurred, less than 302 the previous year.

The minister said maximum cases under cruelty by husband and relatives were registered in West Bengal (15,766), Andhra Pradesh (9,202), Maharashtra (6,628), Gujarat (5,264), Rajasthan (4,022), Madhya Pradesh (3,331) and Delhi (1,281).

“Under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, the aggrieved woman can seek various reliefs such as protection order, shelter and medical facilities,” Tirath said.