Though IPC Section 498-A, or Dowry Act, is often misused, its abuse is not so serious as to warrant its quashing or bring in major amendments, according to a report on domestic violence cases filed under Section 498-A in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy districts. The report, prepared by a group of students from Nalsar University, also highlights stereotyping of gender roles in the society.
A team of four students — Tanay Agarwal, Ayush Ranka, Sravya Koparappu and Sree Mitra — prepared the report titled Status of 498A in Hyderabad and Ranga Reddy Districts. The study collated data from 45 police stations randomly selected from across the two districts. According to the study, an average of six cases were registered under Section 498-A each month at these police stations. The number was 20 on average at the four women’s police stations included in the research. “The figure, however, was 240 cases at Charminar police station and as many as 413 requests for counseling were registered,” the report states. “Also, most police officers were of the view that 99 per cent cases were true and involved harassment.”