Bengaluru has witnessed a significant 66.6% decrease in dowry death cases, dropping from 60 in 2011 to 20 in 2024. However, justice remains elusive for many families, with only 2.1% of cases registered during this period leading to convictions.

Between 2011 and 2024, of the 610 dowry death cases filed under IPC Section 304(B), only 13 resulted in convictions. Meanwhile, 67% (409 cases) are still in trial, and 22.1% (135 cases) ended in acquittals. Other cases remain under investigation or were dismissed as false reports.

The decline in dowry deaths has been attributed to societal changes, with more people accepting divorce as an alternative to abusive marriages, along with the impact of education and women’s empowerment. However, the low conviction rate highlights systemic issues.

A senior police officer noted that many cases fail due to witnesses turning hostile, often as a result of compromises reached between the victim’s and accused’s families. The lengthy trial process, coupled with frequent investigator transfers, further weakens the prosecution’s case.

Activist Rupa Hassan underscored the urgent need for fast-track courts to handle sensitive cases like dowry deaths and rape. She pointed out that delayed trials exhaust victims’ families, leading them to abandon the fight for justice. Additionally, low pay and high workloads discourage prosecutors from pursuing long-drawn cases with dedication.

Rupa emphasized that improving conviction rates requires better incentivization of prosecutors, faster judicial processes, and stricter witness retention strategies.

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