Bangladesh approves new dowry prohibition law keeping 14-year jail term for inciting suicide

Bangladeshi cabinet has approved a new dowry prohibition law keeping a provision of 14-year jail term for inciting suicide and life sentence for critically injuring women over dowry.

Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters on Monday that a convicted will be handed maximum life term for critically injuring a victim over dowry.

Alam said the draft law has defined various kinds of crimes which are to be considered dowry-related violence.

He said the draft law also kept a provision of compensation for a dowry victim.

For a minor torture for dowry, Alam said an accused might be sentenced with imprisonment ranging from one to three years with fine.

The new draft law was made following the vociferous demands of women's and human rights organizations as the extent of dowry violence is increasing in the country.

Scores of housewives in Bangladesh are killed yearly mostly by their husbands and in-laws on dowry demands, despite laws preventing such demand.

The Bangladeshi government enacted laws over dowry in 1980 with the maximum five years sentences punishment, but many poor families opt not to file cases. Endit