Hyderabad’s Mohammad Zakeer calls of marriage after getting second-hand furniture

In India the dowry law applies to all irrespective of religion or cultural background. The enforcement is crucial to protect women both violence and discrimination

A man from Hyderabad, Mohammad Zakeer called off his marriage claiming that the bride's family was giving him second-hand furniture as dowry.

A case has been registered against him and investigations are underway a Times Now report said.

Zakeer (25) works as a bus driver in Moulali. His marriage had been fixed with 22-year old Heena Fatima who lives in the Bandlaguda's Rehmat colony.

On Sunday, the wedding was scheduled to take place at a Mosque and all preparations were made accordingly. The place was decorated and guests were invited with a variety of dishes also being prepared for the occasion.

The bride's family waited for a long time for the groom and his family to arrive. However they never turned up. After the bride's father inquired, he learnt that Zakeer and his family had called off the wedding.

The bride's father informed the media that when he arrived at the groom's house and questioned the family, they expressed unhappiness with the furniture that had been provided to them. They said that the furniture was used and demanded more things in dowry.

The bride's father then filed a police complaint alleging that Mohammad Zakeer refused to marry his daughter as he claimed that second hand furniture had been given as dowry. He further claimed that when he went to question the family, he was abused and turned away.

The police said that a case had been filed against the groom under Sections 420, 406 and 3 and 4 of the Domestic Violence Act. The probe is underway the Hyderabad police also said.

The Dowry law:

In India dowry is illegal under the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961. The law applies to all Indians, including Muslims. The law prohibits giving or receiving dowry in connection with marriage.

The law makes it a criminal offence to demand dowry, both directly and indirectly.

Some Muslim groups have argued that the Dowry law should not apply to them, as the practice of giving dowry is nor considered to be haram in Islam. The law however remains in effect for all Indians, regardless of cultural background, religion and its enforcement is important to protect all women from violence and discrimination.