can a dowry case be filed before marriage or any other ceremony

Can i file a case against the guy and his family. I have known him for last 5 years and we have been in a relationship for last 3 years, he approached me for marriage 3 years ago, since we both were from same caste, i said yes, but he kept on delaying it. This year in February, he invited me and my family to meet his parents, where they demanded dowry in a round about way i.e. in gift form, itna to doge hi apni beti ko. They finalised the date as well. But since i was not comfortable with their demand, i let the guy know it. Now, they have cancelled the wedding. I don't have any proof of their demand as everything was verbal and at their place other than the message that i sent him. We both are Hindu