Bangladesh High Court clarifies legal definition of dowry

The High Court of Bangladesh has ruled that requesting money from a spouse solely for business purposes, without it being a condition of the marriage or its maintenance, does not fall under the legal definition of ‘dowry’ under the Women and Children Repression Prevention Act.

In the case of Md. Russel Uddin v. The State and another, the court overturned a lower court's decision that had sentenced Uddin to two years in prison and a 20,000 taka fine. The original conviction was based on allegations that Uddin demanded 100,000 taka for his business and physically assaulted his wife, Ismat Ara Begum, when she refused.

Justice Md. Selim's bench noted that for a demand to constitute dowry, it must be tied to the marriage or the continuation of marital life, such as threatening divorce if the money is not provided. The court also found inconsistencies between the victim's testimony regarding injuries and the medical reports provided, leading to the acquittal of all charges.