Dowry vs Streedhan: Know the Legal Difference and Protect Your Rights By Adv. Pratibha Bangera – Divorce Lawyer & Women’s Rights Specialist | Call: +91-9664000362

🔍 What is the Difference Between Dowry and Streedhan?

When women in India get married, various gifts, money, and valuables are exchanged. But what is legally considered a gift (streedhan) and what becomes a criminal offence (dowry)? The distinction is crucial for every Indian woman to understand — whether she is married, separated, or fighting for her rights.

Let’s break it down.

💡 What is Dowry?

Dowry refers to any property, valuable security, or money given directly or indirectly by the bride’s family to the groom or his family as a condition of marriage.

📜 Legal Definition:

According to the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961:

“Dowry means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage or by the parents of either party or by any other person to either party or to any other person, at or before or any time after the marriage in connection with the marriage.”

❌ Key Characteristics:

• Demand-based or customary: Often demanded by the groom’s side.

• Illegal & punishable offence.

• Can be claimed back under criminal law (Sec 498A IPC, Dowry Prohibition Act).

👑 What is Streedhan?

Streedhan is everything voluntarily given to a woman at the time of her marriage (or even before/after), for her exclusive ownership. It can include:

• Gifts from parents, in-laws, relatives, friends

• Jewelry, cash, movable & immovable property

• Bank deposits, bonds, insurance policies

• Household articles

🧾 Legal Recognition:

Recognized under Section 14 of the Hindu Succession Act, 1956 and clarified in several Supreme Court judgments, streedhan is the woman’s absolute property.

✅ Key Characteristics:

• Voluntarily given, not demanded.

• Exclusively owned by the woman.

• Can be reclaimed anytime, even after divorce or separation.

• Entrusted streedhan kept with husband/in-laws can be recovered under Section 406 IPC (Criminal Breach of Trust).

⚖️ Major Legal Differences Between Dowry and Streedhan

FeatureDowryStreedhanLegalityIllegal (Punishable offence)Legal (Protected under personal law)OwnershipBelongs to husband/his familyBelongs solely to the womanGiven byBride’s side, under pressureGiven voluntarily by both sidesNatureCompulsory/condition-basedVoluntary giftRecoverable?Yes, through dowry lawsYes, through civil/criminal remediesPunishmentUnder Dowry Prohibition Act, 498ANot punishable – but breach leads to Section 406 IPC

💔 How Women Lose Streedhan Unknowingly

Many women leave their matrimonial home without collecting or documenting their streedhan — either due to emotional trauma or abuse. In such cases, courts have upheld that:

"Refusal to return streedhan is criminal breach of trust."– Supreme Court of India

Always keep a record of:

• Bills/invoices for jewelry and gifts

• Bank statements of transferred amounts

• Witnesses who saw the gifts being given

• Photographs or videos (wedding functions, gifts being given)

📌 Real-life Scenario: Streedhan Recovered Through Legal Action

A client of mine was abandoned after 4 years of marriage. Her in-laws refused to return her gold and mutual fund papers. We filed a complaint under Section 406 IPC and issued a detailed legal notice. The court not only ensured recovery of streedhan but also granted interim maintenance under Section 125 CrPC.

👉 Know your rights. Fight back legally. You are not alone.

👩‍⚖️ Need Help? Contact Advocate Pratibha Bangera

📍 Divorce Lawyer | EFT Practitioner | Women's Rights Specialist📞 Call or WhatsApp: +91-XXXXXXXXXX🌐 Facebook Page – Adv Pratibha Bangera📧 Email: info@advpratibhabangera.com

💬 Consultation available online & offline (Pan-India).

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