In Brief
Dattaraj married Savita in 2002; she died of burn injuries in 2006. Her family alleged dowry harassment and cruelty by Dattaraj, his father, mother, and brother. The trial court convicted all four; the High Court acquitted the three family members, upholding only Dattaraj's conviction. The State appealed to the Supreme Court. The Court held that customary gifts exchanged at ceremonies between families do not constitute dowry, and demands made two years before death do not satisfy the 'soon before death' requirement under Section 304B IPC. Finding no overt acts of cruelty or dowry demands attributable to the three accused, the Court dismissed the appeal, affirming the High Court's acquittal of the father, mother, and brother.
The lawyer headnote and full judgment text are available to registered users.