Anti-dowry law enacted with 5-yr sentence for filing false case

A bill titled 'The Dowry Prohibition Bill, 2018' was passed in parliament on Sunday incorporating a new provision of punishment for filing any false case.

State minister for women and children affairs Meher Afroze moved the bill in the House and it was passed by voice vote.

As per the new provision of the proposed law, the punishment for filing any false case will be maximum five years' imprisonment or a fine of maximum Tk 50,000 or both.

Another provision has been changed only to specify the amount of monetary punishment for demanding or giving dowry in the proposed law as no specific financial punishment is mentioned in the existing law.

According to the provision, if any person demands or gives dowry s/he will have to face maximum five years' imprisonment, which will not be less than one year's jail term or maximum Tk 50,000 as fine or both.

The draft law has been prepared rearranging the original law of Dowry Prohibition Act, 1980 and its subsequent amendments made through promulgation of ordinances.