Dowry death
What this section does
This section defines 'dowry death' and prescribes punishment for it. Where a woman dies within seven years of marriage under abnormal circumstances (burns, bodily injury, or otherwise) and it is shown she was subjected to dowry-related cruelty or harassment shortly before her death, the husband or his relative is deemed to have caused her death. The minimum sentence is seven years.
AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).
Quick reference
- Punishment
- Imprisonment for a term not less than seven years and which may extend to imprisonment for life.
- Triable by
- Sessions Court
- Cognizable
- Yes
- Bailable
- No
- Compoundable
- No
Ingredients (what prosecution must prove)
- Death of a woman was caused by burns, bodily injury, or occurred otherwise than under normal circumstances
- The death occurred within seven years of her marriage
- It is shown that soon before her death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or any relative of her husband
- Such cruelty or harassment was for, or in connection with, any demand for dowry
Practitioner note
The section creates a statutory presumption: once the ingredients are established, the husband or relative 'shall be deemed' to have caused the death, effectively shifting the burden. 'Dowry' has the same meaning as in section 2 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. The mandatory minimum is seven years. This section is typically read alongside section 113B of the Indian Evidence Act (now Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam) regarding the presumption as to dowry death.
- IPC Section 304B — Dowry death
Read the official text
For the binding statutory text of BNS Section 80, refer to the Gazette of India or the India Code official website.
Why this matters
BNS Section 80 forms part of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita which replaced the Indian Penal Code 1860 on 1 July 2024. Any new filing, FIR, charge sheet, or bail application made on or after that date should cite the new section number. References to the old act in legacy documents remain valid for matters that arose before the changeover.