Marriage ke context me Stridhan aur dowry dono frequently use hote hain, lekin legal treatment alag hai. Stridhan wo property hai jo woman ko milti hai – parents, relatives, husband, in-laws se – gifts, jewellery, cash, articles – jo specifically uske naam pe aur uske absolute ownership me hoti hai.
Dowry legally prohibited concept hai – yaani property/valuable security jo marriage ke consideration me demand ya give/ take ki jati hai. Dowry ka demand, giving, taking – sab punishable hai, chahe directly ho ya indirectly.
Critical point: Stridhan woman ka exclusive property hai. Husband ya in-laws bina consent ke usko permanently retain nahi kar sakte. Divorce, separation, even widowhood me bhi stridhan wapas karna legal duty hai. Stridhan ke illegal retention pe criminal complaint tak possible hai.
Practically, jewellery bills, gift lists, photos, bank records maintain karna future me stridhan claim prove karne me helpful hota hai. Dowry ke naam pe violence, harassment, pressure – ye sab separate criminal remedies ke under aate hain.
Law stridhan ko protect karta hai, dowry ko punish.
