Madras High Court Orders 2 Women Cops To Pay INR 1 Lakh Each to Complainant in Dowry Case; Here's Why
The Madras High Court directed two women police officers in Alangulam to pay INR 1 lakh each as compensation to a complainant for illegally settling a dowry demand case without registering an FIR. The Superintendent of Police has been authorised to revoke the suspension of the two officers. Scroll below to know more.
The Madurai Bench of the Madras High Court has directed two women police officers attached to the All Women Police Station (AWPS) in Alangulam to pay INR 1,00,000 each as public law compensation to a complainant. The ruling comes after the officers bypassed mandatory legal procedures and attempted to resolve a dowry demand complaint through a private monetary settlement instead of registering a First Information Report (FIR).
Background of the Case
The case stems from a petition filed by the father of a woman whose engagement had abruptly collapsed. According to the petitioner, his daughter's marriage was arranged with a senior engineer employed at Quest Global Private Limited, with the engagement ceremony solemnised on April 18. Removing Thali Amounts to Mental Cruelty of the Highest Order, Says Madras High Court; Upholds Divorce Granted to Man.
The petitioner alleged that INR 10,00,000 was extracted as dowry on the day of the engagement itself. Subsequent demands reportedly led to the unilateral cancellation of the wedding, which had originally been scheduled for June 8. When the family approached the local AWPS for legal recourse, the police allegedly brokered a private settlement rather than filing a formal case. The arrangement secured a partial refund of INR 5,00,000, instructed the father to wait a month for the remainder, and subsequently closed the complaint without initiating any penal action.
Court Observations on Police Conduct
In its initial proceedings, the Court strongly criticised the conduct of the local inspector and sub-inspector. Justice L. Victoria Gowri emphasised that law enforcement officials possess no legal authority to act as informal mediators in criminal matters. "Such an approach not only lacks legal sanction but also trivialises the gravity of allegations relating to dowry harassment. Police officers cannot assume unto themselves the jurisdiction to convert allegations of cognisable offences into private monetary settlements. The duty of the police is to enforce the law, not to negotiate its dilution,” Justice Gowri observed, adding that their duty is to enforce the law rather than negotiate its dilution.
Subsequent Actions and Final Orders
Following the intervention of the High Court, corrective administrative steps were swiftly initiated. The two officers were placed under suspension, a formal FIR was registered against the respondents named in the complaint, and the matter was referred to the District Dowry Prohibition Officer of Tenkasi for an independent inquiry. Madras High Court Overrules Tamil Nadu Authorisation Committee, Allows Bangladeshi Mother To Donate Kidney to Son.
During the final hearings, the Court noted that the petitioner's core grievances had been substantially addressed. However, to establish public law accountability for the initial dereliction of duty, the bench ordered both officers to pay INR 1,00,000 each to the complainant. Additionally, the Superintendent of Police was authorised to revoke the suspension of the two officers.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 25, 2026 03:41 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
