Jamshedpur Civil Court which saw a number of dowry case being filed. Telegraph picture

Jamshedpur, Dec. 21: Marriages are made in heaven but the increase in the number of dowry and torture cases in the steel city every year is witness to a new trend.

Over 1,000 marital cases are lying pending at the Jamshedpur family court.

Sources at the district civil court said dowry and torture cases have increased three times since the past four years. Most cases are concerned with Section 498(A). Over 200 cases are filed in a year, around 15 cases, on a monthly average.

According to the constitution of India, if a married woman is to file a case against her husband under Section 498 (A) of IPC, which stands for the Dowry Prohibition Act, not only the husband but also his entire family, can be put behind bars.

Sangeeta Jha, a lawyer dealing in matrimonial cases, said since the past few years there has been an unprecedented increase in such cases.

“People are losing faith in the institution of marriage. Moreover, the interference of parents in a marital dispute aggravates the situation. Both parties retaliate and the bride’s family files the case,” she said.

According to lawyers many cases are filed only to reap monetary benefits. The girl’s side often gets a monetary compensation once the case is over.

Anjali Bose, a social worker, said often there is a misuse of this section and at times lawyers trick couples to fight the case.

“Counselling is important in matrimonial disputes and I strongly feel that most divorce cases are a result of parental interference. Martial disputes are natural and couples should be counselled properly. Usually, the girl’s family directly files a suit on a lawyer’s advice instead of striking a compromise. Western culture and impact of the soaps has aggravated the situation,” she said, adding that a counselling cell in every college will help youngsters in marital life.

Shiv Shankar Prasad, a lawyer at a family court, said Section 498(A) tempts many families to file cases as all the members of the groom’s family could be sent to jail.

“The trend of filing dowry cases is more in the urban area but counselling is always advisable,” he said.

Dowry victims say they are forced to take the legal course due to severe physical and mental torture by the husband and other in-laws. “Tired of torture, I lodged a dowry case against my husband. The case is still pending at the local civil court,” said Rachna Singh (name changed), a resident of Mango.