What is Not Streedhan? A Must-Know Guide for Indian Women By Advocate Pratibha Bangera | Divorce Lawyer Mumbai | Topritejuris Legal

When it comes to divorce or domestic violence matters, many women are told to “claim your Streedhan.” But what exactly is Streedhan—and more importantly, what is not Streedhan?

Let’s break down what you cannot claim as your exclusive property—even if it’s lying in your house or was given during the wedding.

1. Gifts Given to the Husband or His Family

Not Streedhan:Any item or money given specifically to the husband, father-in-law, mother-in-law, or other in-laws is not considered your Streedhan.

Examples:

• A car gifted to your father-in-law

• A watch or gold chain given to the groom

• Furniture given “for the couple” or “for the house”

Legal Reasoning:These are gifts to others, not to the bride. Courts treat them as the recipient's property, unless fraud or dowry coercion is proven.

2. Jointly Purchased Property or Assets

Not Streedhan:Assets purchased after marriage in joint names or from joint income/accounts are not your exclusive right.

Examples:

• House bought in joint name

• Car EMIs paid from joint account

• Gadgets or electronics bought together

Tip from a family law expert: If it’s not gifted to you alone, don’t list it under Streedhan in legal claims.

3. Household Articles for Common Use

Not Streedhan:Basic household items used by everyone, unless clearly gifted to the woman, are treated as shared property.

Examples:

• Beds, sofas, utensils

• Fridge, washing machine, AC

• Crockery sets given “for the house”

Unless there’s proof (in writing or via witnesses) that it was exclusively gifted to the wife, courts won’t treat it as her personal property.

4. Gifts with No Specificity or Documentation

Not Streedhan:Gifts given without any record or intention to the woman individually, even during the wedding, may not qualify.

Examples:

• Cash envelopes not addressed to bride

• Jewelry mixed with family heirlooms

• Items given by relatives without witness or receipts

Why It Matters: In court, it’s your responsibility to prove that the item was given to you as Streedhan. Otherwise, it becomes a general “wedding gift.”

5. Items Given as Dowry Under Coercion

Not Streedhan unless Proven Otherwise:Items given as dowry under pressure or demand don’t automatically become Streedhan.

They may be treated as evidence in a dowry harassment case (under Section 498A IPC or Dowry Prohibition Act) but not always as your recoverable Streedhan.

6. Items Given for the Groom's Side's Social Image

Not Streedhan:Things gifted during ceremonies to maintain social reputation of the groom’s family are not recoverable Streedhan.

Examples:

• Gold chains or cash given to baratis or pandit

• Decoration, food arrangements funded by bride’s side

• Branded clothes given to in-laws

These are seen as cultural expenditures unless proof of coercion exists.

7. Items Gifted to the Couple, Not the Woman

Not Streedhan:Anything gifted to “both” the husband and wife is shared property, not exclusively hers.

Examples:

• Holiday package booked for the couple

• Bed set gifted by groom’s uncle to the couple

• ₹2 lakh cheque marked for “new beginnings”

In Legal Terms: Streedhan must be exclusively for the woman, given out of love and not as part of a customary exchange.

8. Property Bought in Husband's or Joint Name After Marriage

Not Streedhan:Even if the funds came from your family, if the property is in your husband’s or joint name, you have no automatic right to it as Streedhan.

To claim it, you’d need to file a separate recovery of money suit or establish beneficial ownership in court.

9. Assets Received After Marriage as Couple’s Benefit

Not Streedhan:Benefits, bonuses, or material gifts received from employers, friends, or societies after marriage in the name of the couple are not your personal property.

Examples:

• Gifted car from husband’s boss

• LIC or mutual fund investments started jointly

• Memberships and subscriptions for the family

These will need to be settled in the financial and property division process, not Streedhan recovery.

Why This Distinction Matters in Court

If you file a 498A or Domestic Violence case to recover Streedhan, the court will demand a specific, provable list of items.

Filing vague or inflated claims—such as trying to recover the TV your mother-in-law bought or a fridge from a joint purchase—can weaken your case.

As an experienced divorce lawyer in Mumbai, I’ve seen many women lose out on their genuine rights because of overclaimed, undocumented lists.

What Is Streedhan, Then?

Quick recap:Streedhan = All movable or immovable property gifted to a woman by her family, friends, husband, or in-laws voluntarily and without demand, before, during, or after marriage.

That includes:

• Gold and jewelry

• Cash or bonds in her name

• Sarees, valuables

• Personal gifts

• Property gifted in her name

• Bank accounts held solely in her name

Facing Divorce or Domestic Violence? Know Your Streedhan Rights

At Topritejuris Legal, we help women:

• Identify and recover valid Streedhan

• File proper inventory with court-ready evidence

• Avoid common legal mistakes in maintenance and property claims

• Secure their future through strong documentation

Book a confidential consultation today.

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