Presumption as to dowry death.

What this section does

When it is shown that soon before a woman's death she was subjected to cruelty or harassment by a person in connection with a demand for dowry, the court shall presume that such person caused her dowry death. This is a mandatory presumption ('shall presume'). 'Dowry death' has the same meaning as in section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023.

AI-generated plain-language summary. For the binding statutory text, see India Code (official).

The rule in one line

Proof of cruelty or harassment for dowry demands soon before a woman's death raises a mandatory presumption of dowry death against the accused.

When it applies

• A woman dies within two years of marriage; evidence shows her husband harassed her for dowry shortly before her death — the court shall presume he caused her dowry death.
• Where a husband and in-laws are shown to have subjected the deceased to dowry-related harassment immediately before her death, the mandatory presumption of dowry death applies against them.

Derived from IEA s.113B.