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ShareThe number of cases reported in the past five years has almost doubled
MUMBAI: The number of dowry-related cases being reported in Mumbai has almost doubled in the past five years. Around 368 dowry cases were registered in Mumbai in 2007 compared with 193 in 2003.
For a cosmopolitan city like Mumbai, the increase in the number of dowry-related offences comes as a surprise. And the reason cited most often is that more women are now refusing to tolerate harassment for dowry by in-laws and spouses.
The concept that originated in the upper-caste families as wedding gifts to the bride from her family gradually became the most dreaded part of women's lives. But they are now increasingly raising their voice against the menace.
"Women are now aware about the options they have to stand against any kind of violence against them," said Nirmala Samant-Prabhavalkar, former chairperson of the state women's commission.
According to her, the scenario began changing ever since the post of the dowry prohibition officer was created at local police stations. "Earlier, such cases were sent to the collector's office and then came to the police station. However, now the victim does not have to run from pillar to post with her complaint," Prabhavalkar said.
Joint commissioner of police (law and order) KL Prasad agrees. "Women are now refusing to tolerate such harassment, and several NGOs and other bodies providing guidance to them are proving helpful," he said.
According to Prasad, the city police are being sensitised to tackle such issues with urgency and empathy. "We are following this procedure of free registration where a police officer will not refuse to register a case unless it is completely unimportant. Dowry harassment cases are treated with an attitude to support the victims," said Prasad.
He said policemen across the city are also undergoing a sensitising programme for the past few months. The programme also trains them in tackling women related cases.
