Explanation I-For the removal of doubts, it is hereby declared that any presents made at the time of a marriage to either party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of this section, unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties.
Explanation II-The expression "valuable security" has the same meaning as in section 30 of the Indian Penal Code.45 of 1860.
Penalty for giving or taking dowry.
3. If any person, after the commencement of this Act, gives or takes or abets the giving or taking of dowry, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both.
Penalty for demanding dowry. 4. If any person, after the commencement of this Act, demands, directly or indirectly, from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, any dowry, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both:
Provided that no court shall take cognizance of any offence under this section except with the previous sanction of the State Government or of such officer as the State Government may, by general or special order, specify in this behalf.
Agreement for giving or taking dowry to be void. 5. Any agreement for the giving or taking of dowry shall be void.
Dowry to be for the benefit of the wife or her heirs.
6. (1) Where any dowry is received by any person other than the woman in connection with whose marriage it is given, that person shall transfer it to the woman---
- (a) if the dowry was received before marriage, within one year after the date of marriage; or
- (b) if the dowry was received at the time of or after the marriage, within one year after the date of its receipt; or
- (c) if the dowry was received when the woman was a minor, within one year after he has attained the age of eighteen years; and pending such transfer, shall hold it in trust for the benefit of the woman.
(2) If any person fails to transfer any property as required by sub-section (1) and within the time limited therefor, he shall be punishable with imprisonment which may extend to six months, or with fine which may extend to five thousand rupees, or with both; but such punishment shall not absolve the person from his obligation to transfer the property as required by sub-section (1).
