Tuesday, May 3 2005 17:45 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: To discourage acceptance of dowry, the Supreme Court has directed the Centre and the States to consider asking all their male employees about the quantum of dowry taken by them before joining service.

If the Governments accept the proposal of the apex Court, then a candidate aspiring to become a Government employee and all Government servants would have to provide information about the dowry taken by him and whether the same had been put in the name of their wives.

"We direct the Centre and the State Governments to consider whether appropriate rules can be framed for compelling males seeking Government employment to furnish information on whether they had taken dowry.

"And if taken, whether the same has been handed over to the wife, as contemplated by Section 6 of the Dowry Prohibition Act, calling for such information and from those already in employment," a Bench comprising Chief Justice R C Lahoti, Justice G P Mathur and Justice P K Balasubramanyan said.

Expressing anguish that even after 43 years of the Act, both the Centre and State Governments failed to put serious effort for its implementation and the menace of dowry remains, the Bench asked them to take more effective steps to implement the provisions of the Act with particular reference to sections 3 and 4 and various rules framed there under.

Section 3 and 4 of the Act provides maintenance of lists of presents or gifts to the bride and bridegroom.

"We direct the Central and the State Government to take steps to ensure that submitting of the list as contemplated by the Act and the Rules is strictly implemented," Justice Balasubramanyan writing the judgement for the Bench said.