Woman Set on Fire by In-Laws in Noida Over Dowry Demands
A woman in Greater Noida was allegedly beaten and set on fire by her husband and in-laws for failing to meet a dowry demand of Rs 36 lakh. The horrific incident was witnessed by her six-year-old son and her sister, who recorded parts of the assault on video. The victim, identified as Nikki, later succumbed to her burn injuries. Her husband has been arrested while police are searching for the other family members involved in the brutal killing, which has sparked outrage.
Unpacked:
Dowry-related deaths remain alarmingly common in India. In 2022, the country recorded around 6,450 dowry deaths, with Uttar Pradesh consistently topping the list (2,218 deaths in 2022). Greater Noida, being in Uttar Pradesh, falls within one of the states with the highest rates of such crimes.
India has the Dowry Prohibition Act (1961) and sections in the Indian Penal Code addressing dowry deaths. However, challenges such as low conviction rates (around 30%), slow investigations, lack of awareness among women, and societal pressures often reduce the effectiveness of these laws.
Children who witness violent crimes, especially within their families, often suffer severe psychological trauma, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. Social services may intervene, but support systems in India for such children are limited and inconsistent, often leaving them in precarious situations.
Dowry-related violence persists due to deep-rooted cultural acceptance, gender inequality, and economic motivations. Dowry is still seen as a customary obligation, and women are often viewed as financial burdens. Economic pressures, social status, and lack of legal awareness further fuel the problem, especially in arranged marriages.