Kerala Law Reforms Commission Proposes To Decriminalize Act Of 'Giving Dowry': State Tells Kerala High Court

The submissions were made before the division bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M, while it was considering an ongoing PIL filed by a law graduate and public policy professional, seeking a direction to the State to bring in accountability regarding the complaints made pursuant to Rule 5 of the Kerala Dowry Prohibition Rules, 2004 and the action taken on the same.

The government pleader for the State submitted that the purported legal shift is aimed at encouraging victims to report dowry-related abuse.

The counsel further submitted that the draft bill proposes to redefine dowry as property or valuable security taken or demanded by the bridegroom or his relatives from the bride or her family and it also proposes imprisonment for such acts.

Currently dowry is defined as any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person. This includes property or security given on or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage of the said parties.

The Court recorded the submission and issued notice to Union of India, calling upon it to clarify its stand on the issue by filing an affidavit.

Earlier, the State Government had informed the Court that it has launched a dedicated Dowry Prohibition Portal for the public to file complaints.

The matter is posted on February 11 for further consideration.

Case Title - Tellmy Jolly v Union of India and Ors.

Case No - WP(PIL) 91/ 2025

Counsel for Petitioner - Kaleeswaram Raj, Thulasi K Raj, Aparna Narayan Menon

Counsel for Respondent - K Arjun Venugopal, O M Shalina (Deputy Solicitor General of India)