16 Women Died Every Day In 2024, Delhi Tops List: Dowry Deaths Continue To Shock India

16 Women Died Every Day In 2024, Delhi Tops List: Dowry Deaths Continue To Shock India Published By, Last Updated: May 19, 2026, 12:58 IST Despite anti-dowry laws being in place for decades, the latest numbers show that the practice continues to remain deeply rooted in many parts of Indian society. Delhi topped the list of metropolitan cities for dowry death cases, reporting 109 incidents in 2024 that resulted in the loss of 111 lives. (Representational) Dowry Deaths In India: The recent deaths of Twisha Sharma in Bhopal and Deepika Nagar in Greater Noida have once again drawn national attention to dowry harassment in India. Both women allegedly died under suspicious circumstances within a short period of marriage, and their families have accused the in-laws of harassment and dowry-related abuse. What NCRB Data Shows? According to the latest data released by the Crime Records Bureau on May 6, India recorded 5,737 dowry deaths in 2024, meaning nearly 16 women died every day in cases linked to dowry harassment, domestic abuse or suspicious deaths after marriage. The NCRB data also showed a rise in dowry-related crimes across the country. The NCRB’s Crime in India 2024 report also showed that Delhi recorded the highest number of dowry death cases among metropolitan cities for the fifth consecutive year. The national capital reported 109 dowry death cases in 2024, resulting in 111 deaths. Though slightly lower than 114 cases in 2023 and the Covid-era peak of 136 cases in 2021, Delhi’s numbers remained far higher than other major cities. Kanpur reported the second-highest number of dowry deaths among metro cities with 54 cases, while Bengaluru recorded 25. The crime rate for dowry deaths in Delhi stood at 1.4 per lakh population. In contrast, several southern cities, including Chennai and Kochi, reported zero dowry deaths in 2024. More than 15,000 cases were registered under the Dowry Prohibition Act in 2023, marking a 14% increase compared to the previous year. Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of dowry cases at 7,151, followed by Bihar with 3,665 cases and Karnataka with 2,322. The report further stated that 6,156 people lost their lives in dowry death cases in 2023, with Uttar Pradesh and Bihar accounting for the highest numbers. What Counts As A Dowry Death? Under Section 80 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (earlier Section 304B of the IPC), a dowry death is registered when a woman dies under unnatural circumstances within seven years of marriage and there is evidence of cruelty or harassment related to dowry demands shortly before her death. Even though laws against dowry have existed for decades, these numbers show how deeply rooted the practice still remains in many parts of society. Recent Cases Shock Nation Twisha Sharma (33), a resident of Noida, married Bhopal resident Samarth Singh in December 2025. She was found hanging at her husband Samarth Singh’s house in Bhopal’s Katara Hills area on May 12, just months after their marriage in December 2025. Her family has accused her husband and in-laws of dowry harassment and murder. The case triggered widespread discussion after private WhatsApp chats with her mother surfaced online. In one message, she wrote, “Mujhe bahut zyada ghutan ho rahi hai maa," which emotionally resonated with many people on social media. Days after Twisha’s death, another case from Greater Noida shocked the public. Twenty-four-year-old Deepika Nagar allegedly died after falling from the roof of her in-laws’ house just 18 months after marriage. Her family claimed they had spent nearly Rs 1 crore on the wedding, but alleged that demands and harassment continued even after the marriage. Police have arrested her husband, Hrithik, and father-in-law Manoj in connection with the case. A high-profile incident in January 2026, involving the alleged murder of a woman SWAT commando by her husband over persistent dowry demands, served as a stark reminder that even those within the security apparatus are not immune to this systemic violence. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit First Published: May 19, 2026, 12:58 IST News india 16 Women Died Every Day In 2024, Delhi Tops List: Dowry Deaths Continue To Shock India Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments...