Page:Dowry Prohibition Act 1961.djvu/1



The following Act of Parliament received the assent of the President on the 20th May, 1961, and is hereby published for general information:-

[20th May, 1961]

An Act to prohibit the giving or taking of dowry.

it enacted by Parliament in the Twelfth Year of the Republic of India as follows:-

1. (1) This Act may be called the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.

(2) It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir.

(3) It shall come into force on such date as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette, appoint.

2. In this Act, "dowry" means any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly-
 * (a) by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or
 * (b) by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person;

at or before or after the marriage as consideration for the marriage of the said parties. but does not include dower or mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies. (257)