The Delhi High Court has recently noted that the disturbing pattern of dowry-related deaths serves as evidence that women continue to be viewed as a financial burden, and these deaths reflect a failure in our societal mindset. 

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma pointed out that what's even more concerning is that in many cases of dowry deaths, it's not just about male dominance, but it also involves women contributing to hostility against their fellow women.

The court further noted that the psychological stress and emotional trauma inflicted on a woman by her in-laws, who persistently demand dowry and subject her to a life resembling that of a slave, can be more detrimental than physical violence.

The court also emphasized that the emotional trauma can be so devastating for certain women that they might perceive death as a preferable outcome to the relentless torment inflicted by the pressure for dowry.

The court's observation was made in the context of a case involving a man named Satpal Singh, who had filed a plea challenging his conviction and sentence in connection with his wife's suicide in May 2000. In April 2009, the trial court had found Singh guilty under Sections 498A (subjecting the wife to cruelty) and 304B (dowry death) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and had sentenced him to 10 years of rigorous imprisonment.

Justice Sharma reviewed the case and observed that the deceased woman had to endure unrelenting torment. She was not allowed to contact her parents or visit them, with her phone calls to her parents being restricted. Additionally, the court noted that she was deprived of basic necessities such as food and clothing.

The court strongly condemned subjecting a woman to a life resembling that of a slave solely because of her marital status, considering it a severe injustice. The court emphasized that a woman should never be made a target, where she faces the threat of violence or deprivation, just because her parents cannot fulfill the insatiable demands of her in-laws.

As a result, the court upheld the trial court's decision and ordered that since the convicted individual had been out on bail since 2009, he must surrender within 30 days to serve the remaining portion of his sentence.

Case: Satpal Singh Vs State, CRL.A. 377/2009.