Trapped in Abuse: The Harrowing Saga of Dowry Deaths
Three women died due to dowry-related issues, sparking renewed attention on the ongoing problem in India. Legal protections are overwhelmed with thousands of pending cases, making justice difficult for victims and their families.
Highlights
- •Dowry Deaths
- •Societal Pressures
- •Legal System Overwhelmed
- •Forensic Evidence Crucial
New Delhi: "Please take me home" - these are the desperate calls made by Twisha Sharma, Deepika Nagar, and Palak Ranjan, who ultimately found their end in tragic circumstances. Trapped in abusive marriages where dowry demands and harassment allegedly played key roles, their final days highlight the broader issue of women's safety within matrimonial confines.
Trisha Sharma from Bhopal, Deepika Nagar from Noida, and Palak Ranjan from Gwalior left a trail of distressing letters before their untimely deaths. Their parents faced despair as law enforcement struggled to bring those responsible to justice. According to the latest data by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), an average of 16 women die due to dowry-related issues every day, totaling 5,737 cases in 2024—a stark reminder of the dire conditions faced by many women.
The Legal and Social Struggle
While legal protections exist, the system is overwhelmed with nearly 60,000 pending cases under Section 80 (formerly 304B) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Conviction rates remain dismally low at just about 46 percent. Psychological experts like Dr. Deepti Puranik suggest that societal conditioning and expectations can leave women feeling bound despite apparent financial independence. Parents, she notes, often put immense societal pressure on daughters to save marriages at all costs.
Their experiences are echoed by other victims of dowry deaths. Twisha Sharma, an MBA graduate and model, pleaded with her family until the last moments before hanging herself. Deepika Nagar's father reported that his desperate daughter cried about dowry harassment on her final day. Rajak, another young woman who left behind a digital trail, reached out to her brother just hours before her untimely end.
This case is just one of many where societal norms and legal delays impede progress. Advocates like Seema Kushwaha argue that a lack of social stigma for dowry persists alongside normalized lavish weddings and weak convictions. She points to the need for swift justice, improved forensic reports, and better evidence collection as key solutions.
Experts suggest gathering all possible evidence including forensics and testimonies from both in-laws and family members to achieve a judicial verdict. Forensic evidence is crucial, says former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, noting that proper handling of cases can prevent long-drawn trials and low conviction rates.
