Overview
- The Kerala government told the High Court that the State Law Reforms Commission has drafted changes to decriminalise the act of giving dowry under the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.
- The proposal would redefine dowry to cover property or valuable security demanded or taken by the bridegroom or his relatives, with such conduct attracting imprisonment.
- A bench of Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V M recorded the submission and issued notice to the Union of India to state its position through an affidavit.
- The development arises in a PIL filed by Tellmy Jolly challenging Section 3 of the central law, with the matter listed for further consideration on February 11.
- The state informed the court that a Dowry Prohibition Portal for public complaints is live as the legal issues proceed.