The Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 is an Indian law that prohibits the giving or taking of dowry. Dowry refers to any property or valuable security given by the bride's family to the groom's family as a condition of marriage.
The act was enacted on 20th May 1961 and came into force on 1st July 1961. The purpose of the act is to prohibit the practice of dowry and provide penalties for its violation. The act also provides for the appointment of Dowry Prohibition Officers who are responsible for enforcing the provisions of the act.
Under the Dowry Prohibition Act, giving or taking of dowry is a punishable offense. The act makes it illegal to give, take or demand dowry, directly or indirectly, from the bride or her family. The punishment for violation of the act is imprisonment for a term of up to five years and a fine of up to Rs. 15,000 or the value of the dowry, whichever is more.
The act has been amended several times to make it more effective. The most recent amendment was in 2018, which made the act more stringent by making the offense non-bailable and providing for the attachment of property acquired through dowry. Despite the existence of the Dowry Prohibition Act, the practice of dowry is still prevalent in some parts of India, and efforts are being made to create greater awareness and enforce the law more effectively.