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Dowry case against wife's parents


30-Jun-2025 (In Divorce Law)
Hi, My wife filed DV case against me and my parents. In her petition she mentioned that her family gave Dowry. We never asked or accept any dowry item. As per Dowry prevention Law, can I file case against her parents that they have mentioned that they have given Dowry to us? If yes, is it a strong case based on DV petition? Thanks
Answers (4)

Answer #1
980 votes
If you accept the fact of your wife's parents giving dowry then in a way you would accept taking dowry. So you must avoid this whole dowry thing altogether and rather focus on denying everything. Feel free to contact me for seeking any legal advice as regards the same.
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Advocate Prerna Shukla

Adv. Prerna Shukla

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Answer #2
528 votes
Yes, giving dowry is an offense in India under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The act prohibits both the giving and taking of dowry, and anyone found guilty can be punished with imprisonment and a fine. Hence, if you & your family did not have ask for the Dowry, despite that, it was given by manipulating the fact to you, Court will consider this as hard to believe!
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Advocate Pankaj Bajaj

Adv. Pankaj Bajaj

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Answer #3
524 votes
Under Indian law, both giving and taking dowry is an offence under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. If your wife's petition admits that her family gave dowry, technically, they have also committed an offence. However, courts usually consider the context and intent behind such admissions. You may file a complaint, but prosecution of the giver is rare and usually arises when it's clearly proven that the dowry was demanded. A DV petition alone may not be strong enough to sustain a dowry complaint unless supported by independent evidence or admission. Consult a lawyer before proceeding.
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Advocate Mrunmayi Kotawadekar

Adv. Mrunmayi Kotawadekar

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Answer #4
632 votes
As an advocate, Domestic Violence (DV) petition. While the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, prohibits both the giving and taking of dowry, prosecuting the parents for giving dowry might be viewed by the court as a retaliatory measure rather than a genuine pursuit of justice against dowry practices. Furthermore, courts often prioritize the larger context of the DV allegations, and such a counter-case could potentially complicate your defense in the DV matter. The strength of such a case would be weak, as the primary focus in a DV proceeding is the alleged acts of domestic violence, and an admission of giving dowry by the complainant's family is typically presented to support their claims of harassment, not as an independent ground for prosecuting them.
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Advocate Prashant Gupta

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