NCRB Report Puts Bengaluru Under Spotlight as Women’s Groups Report Rise in Emotional and Financial Abuse
BENGALURU — Dowry-related harassment in urban India is increasingly taking the form of demands for luxury gadgets, vehicles, expensive lifestyles and financial control, according to women’s rights groups in Bengaluru, which has reported a sharp rise in complaints linked to marital abuse.
The issue has once again come under national focus following recent alleged dowry-related deaths in Greater Noida, Bengaluru and Bhopal. Against this backdrop, the National Crime Records Bureau’s (NCRB) Crime in India 2024 report revealed that Bengaluru recorded 878 complaints under the Dowry Prohibition Act in 2024 — nearly 87% of all such cases registered across metropolitan cities in India.
Activists say the numbers also reflect increasing awareness among women and improved access to legal aid, helplines and support systems in Bengaluru.
Women’s Groups Report Rise in Cases Among Young Couples
According to NGOs working with survivors of domestic abuse, most dowry-related complaints involve couples married for one to five years, particularly women in their 20s and early 30s.
Pragya Prasun Singh, founder of Atijeevan Foundation, said cases handled by the organisation have increased by nearly 20-30% over the last five years, with a major spike during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Women today are financially independent and more aware of their rights. Many are choosing to seek help earlier instead of silently enduring abuse,” she said.
Tabassum Ara, coordinator at Vimochana, said nearly 70-80% of the organisation’s dowry-related complaints involve marriages within the first five years.
“Families often try to settle matters by fulfilling one demand, but once demands are met, the cycle continues,” she explained.
Dowry Demands Now Include iPhones, Luxury Cars and Flats
Activists say dowry practices in urban India have evolved into more sophisticated and socially acceptable forms. Instead of direct cash demands, families increasingly pressure women to fund expensive lifestyles, luxury vehicles, lavish weddings, overseas vacations, flats or business investments.
In some cases, women are allegedly pressured to hand over salaries, finance family expenses or seek money from their parents for lifestyle upgrades.
Tabassum said unemployment and social comparison are also driving financial demands within marriages.
“Earlier, dowry demands were direct. Today, it may be framed as asking for the latest laptop, an iPhone, help to start a business, or even luxury items linked to social status,” she said.
In one extreme case handled by activists, a family allegedly demanded the woman’s share in family property, including a helicopter.
Emotional Abuse Increasingly Common in Dowry Harassment Cases
While physical violence remains a concern, activists say emotional abuse and financial control have become more common forms of dowry-linked harassment.
Women reportedly face silent treatment, emotional neglect, isolation from parents, financial dependency and denial of personal agency within marriages.
In one case cited by activists, a woman endured four years of emotional neglect in an unconsummated marriage due to continued dowry-related pressure.
Experts warn that many women stay silent because they fear social stigma, family pressure or financial instability.
Survivors Share Experiences of Financial Control and Abuse
Sairah K (name changed), a tech professional currently going through divorce proceedings after an 11-year marriage, said financial control was one of the earliest warning signs she ignored.
“His money remained his money, but my earnings, my parents’ support and even gifts given to me were treated as his property,” she said.
Another survivor, Karthika Raj (name changed), an English teacher, said repeated demands for gadgets and monthly financial support from her parents ultimately forced her to end her marriage.
“When he asked me to demand monthly money from my parents for extra expenses, I realised things would never improve,” she said.
Both women urged others to recognise early warning signs such as emotional withdrawal, controlling behaviour, financial secrecy and increasing pressure on the woman’s family.
Activists Call for Stronger Awareness and Support Systems
Women’s groups say Bengaluru’s relatively stronger ecosystem of NGOs, counselling centres, legal aid services and helplines may partly explain the higher number of reported cases compared to other cities.
Activists stressed the need for greater awareness, early intervention and stronger emotional and legal support for survivors facing dowry-related abuse in modern urban marriages.
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