Check IT returns in dowry cases: HC

NEW DELHI: The Delhi High Court  has directed that trial courts and investigating officers must verify dowry harassment allegations by looking into income tax returns of complainants before recording a complaint.

“Now-a-days, exorbitant claims are made about the amount spent on marriage and on dowry. In some cases, claim is made of spending crores of rupees on dowry without disclosing the source of income and how funds flowed,” observed Justice Pradeep Nandrajog while granting anticipatory bail to a couple charged by their daughter-in-law of dowry harassment.

The daughter-in-law charged that her parents had spent Rs 5 crore on her marriage and accused her mother-in-law of taking away her jewellry items. Her husband is paying Rs one lakh a month as alimony to her. The couple’s lawyer K T S Tulsi said the allegations were baseless.

Accepting Tulsi’s arguments and the rich background of the couple as well as their daughter-in-law, Justice Nandarajog said, “I consider the time has come that courts should insist upon disclosing the source of such funds and verification of income from tax returns.

The police should insist upon the compliance of the Dowry Prohibition Act and shouldn’t entertain any complaint, if the rules have not been complied with.” Dowry Prohibition (Maintenance of List of Presents to the Bride and Bridegroom) Rules, 1985, envisages that parties must sign the list of gifts or other items given at the time of marriage.