'Marriage Reduced To Commercial Transaction Due To Evil Of Dowry': Supreme Court Refuses Bail In Dowry-Death Case

The Supreme Court cancelled bail granted to a man accused of poisoning his wife in a dowry-death case, noting that the institution of marriage has been devalued — “reduced to a commercial transaction” — because of the ongoing societal evil of dowry. (Live Law) The bench observed that crimes such as dowry-death strike at the roots of human dignity, equality, and fundamental rights under Articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution. (Live Law) Given corroborated dying declarations, forensic evidence of poisoning, and the seriousness of offense, the Court found the High Court’s bail order “perverse and unsustainable.” (Live Law) The judgment underscores the need for stern, deterrent judicial response in dowry-related violence and reinforces that bail should not be a norm in heinous crimes involving cruelty or death. (Live Law)