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DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.21088/ijfmp.0974.3383.10217.4

Abstract

 Background: The Indian National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports that there were about 8083 dowry death cases registered in India in 2013. India reports the highest total number of dowry deaths with 8,391 such deaths reported in 2010, 1.4 deaths per 100,000 women. Aim and Objective: To know the recent pattern regarding unnatural deaths among newly married females so that effective preventive measure can be taken. Study Design: Cross sectional Prospective. Place of Study: Osmania General Hospital Mortuary Hyderabad. Duration of Study: From Nov 2010 to Aug 2012. Material and Method: The present study was conducted in Department of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology, Osmania general hospital. A total number of 296 autopsied cases of married woman within 7years of marital life were studied, brought by polices of various police stations in Hyderabad city, and the inquest, were conducted by the Executive Magistrate. Observation and Discussion: Dowry death is most common in the age group of 21- 30 years; no age group is an exception to harassment for dowry that finally leads to death of the individual. Hindu females comprised of an alarmingly large group 87%, while the number of deaths in other religion groups the Muslim (12%) and in Christian community is almost negligible. 60.1% in-laws of husband and husband are responsible for killing or forcing the victim to end her life. majority of deaths are due to burns (59.8%), followed by deaths due to hanging (23%), whereas poisoning(11.1%) and other injuries accounts for lowest incidence of deaths(6.1%) 89.2% are found to be suicidal, where as 10.8% are homicidal. Even though the Government of India has passed the Dowry Prohibition Act in 1961 1, till today this social evil was not totally eradicated from our society and has become a major issue of unnatural female deaths. Conclusion: This social curse has to be attacked by a multipronged and organized approach by police, women welfare organizations, reputed public servants, and judiciary and by awarding deterrent punishment to all offenders. In our opinion, a rational and practical approach on the above mentioned matter will certainly be helpful.

Keywords: Dowry Deaths; Autopsy; Domestic Violence.

Corresponding Author : Nishat Ahmed Sheikh, Professor and Head, Dept. of Forensic Medicine, Department of Forensic Medicine, Jaipur National University, Institute for Medical Sciences and Research Center, Jaipur-302017, Rajasthan, India.