To constitute an offence of dowry death, the death of a woman should be caused by any burns or bodily injury or occurs otherwise than under normal circumstances within __________.

The correct answer is '7 years of marriage.'

Key Points

• Dowry Death and Legal Framework:
  • Dowry death is a grave social crime in India and is addressed under Section 304B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
  • To constitute an offence of dowry death, the death of a woman must occur under circumstances such as burns, bodily injury, or other unnatural causes.
  • The death must occur within 7 years of marriage, and it should be shown that the woman was subjected to cruelty or harassment by her husband or his relatives in connection with demands for dowry.
  • This legal provision aims to curb the menace of dowry and ensure justice for victims of dowry-related abuse.

Additional Information

• Overview of Incorrect Options:
  • Option 1 (5 years of marriage): While 5 years is a significant time frame, it does not align with the legal provision under Section 304B IPC, which specifies 7 years as the period within which the dowry death must occur.
  • Option 2 (2 years of marriage): This time frame is too short and does not match the legal requirement of 7 years stipulated in the law.
  • Option 4 (1 year of marriage): A 1-year period is insufficient to encompass many cases of dowry-related harassment and deaths. The law recognizes a longer period to address such cases comprehensively.
• Importance of the 7-year period:
  • The 7-year period ensures that dowry-related abuse cases are addressed even if the harassment or cruelty occurs years after the marriage.
  • This time frame is considered reasonable and realistic, as it captures a significant portion of dowry-related incidents.