DR.

RAM MANOHAR LOHIYA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY,

LUCKNOW.

SYNOPSIS FOR FAMILY LAW

‘Streedhan- The Right of Women.’

Under the supervision of: Submitted by:

Ms. Shakuntla Sangam Swarnim Pandey

Assistant Professor (Law) Section- B

RMLNLU Enroll No.-160101156

Lucknow Sem- 4

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 ABSTRACT:
This project is on the topic of Streedhan. Streedhan is the property that a woman obtains at the time of her
marriage, it differs from Dowry in the way that it is the voluntary gifts given to a woman before or after her
marriage and has no element of coercion.

The word ''Streedhan ' is, derived from the words ‘stree ‘ meaning woman and ‘dhana’ meaning property.
Essentially a word and concept, which comes down centuries from the Hindu Smritis but has today,
permeated all forms of marriages in all castes and religions. The existence of Streedhan is an ingrained part
of Indian culture from times of yore. As male dominated as the society may be, the existence of the custom
of 'bride price' indicates that women understood the importance of financial independence and safeguarding
their interests long before the feminist movement made it popular to do so.

OBJECT OF STUDY:
The purpose of the study is to:

 Examine the definition of Streedhan and enumerate the constituents of Streedhan and its various heads

 Analyze the difference between Streedhan and the concept of Dowry with the help of authoritative case
laws

 Comment on the legal status of Streedhan with respect to:

i. Section 405 of Indian Penal Code (IPC)
ii. Allied laws (Section 27 of Hindu Marriage Act (HMA), Section 14 of Hindu Succession Act and
Domestic Violence Act 2005 (DV)
iii. Section 498A of Indian Penal Code(IPC)

 How does the concept of Streedhan acts as a check upon the oppressed state of Indian Hindu women

 Streedhan and Taxation laws in India

 Analyze the judicial take by means of Pratibha Rani v Suraj Kumar

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 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY:
Research in this work mainly relied upon is “Doctrinal Method”. The present approach in the research is
primarily Doctrinal, analytical and descriptive. The present research is mainly dependent on Statues and
Committee reports and secondary sources like books and articles. Internet has provided with major
contribution of the work.

HYPOTHESIS:
The Hypothesis is to draw up an impression that the concept of Sreeedhan is a favourable measure for the
unequal and downtrodden members of our society- women. It also acts as a check upon the wrong done to
them by their in-laws and the husband by acting as a touchstone in this era of liberty, justice and equality.

CONCLUSION:
In spite of all the hurdles, the concept of Streedhan has a vibrancy of its own and has even been declared as
the basic right of a Hindu woman and its implications assimilated in letter and spirit. It is an ingrained part
of Indian culture from times of yore being heavily associated with concept of bride-price and financial
independence. An activist Court is surely far more effective than a legal positivist conservative Court to
protect the society against male dominated tyranny and adventurism. It is a counter-majoritarian check on
the patriarchal society. All steps need to taken to preserve a women’s dignity and her rightful Streedhan.