Acceptance of dowry by Government servants:

In this context, the provision contained in MHA OM No. 25/37/65-Ests.(A), dated 30.08.1965 is discussed below:
1. It is provided in MHA OM No. 25/8/57-Estt.(A) dated the 25th March, 1957, dowry should be regarded as a customary gift which a Government servant may accept without prior sanction and that subject to the provisions of the rules relating to gifts and transactions in immovable and movable property, all such gifts should be reported to the Government or other prescribed authority.
2. The matter has been reviewed in the context of the provisions contained in the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961. Section 2 of this Act defines dowry as ‘any property or valuable security given or agreed to be given directly or indirectly by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage or by the parents of either party to a marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person at or before the marriage as consideration for the marriage of the said parties, but does not include dowry or mahar in the case of persons to whom the muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies’. For removal of doubts. Explanation I below Section 2 declares that ‘any presents made at the time of marriage to other party to the marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of the section unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties’. Persons who are guilty of giving or taking or abetting the giving or taking of dowry, or demanding any dowry, directly or indirectly from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom, as the case may be, are liable to the punishments prescribed in Sections 3 and 4 of the Act. In the circumstances, Government servant should not give or take or abet the giving or taking of dowry; nor should they demand dowry, directly or indirectly, from the parents or guardian of a bride or bridegroom as the case may be. Dowry can, therefore, no longer be treated as ‘customary gift’ as has been stated in this Ministry’s OM of 25.03.1957 referred to in para 1 above (not reproduced). Any violation of the provision of Dowry prohibition Act, 1961 by a Government servant will constitute a good and sufficient reason for institution disciplinary proceedings against him in addition to such legal action as may be taken against him in accordance with the provisions of the Act.
3. Receipt of presents by Government servants at the time of their marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, cloths or other articles, otherwise than as consideration for marriage from relatives and personal friends will be regulated by sub-rules (2) of rule 13 of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964. The receipt of such presents from persons other than relatives and personal friends, will be regulated by sub-rule (1) of rule 13 ibid read with sub-rule (3) thereof. Purchases of items of movable property for giving presents at the time of marriage will be regulated by rule 18 (3) of the Central Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1964, like other transaction in movable property.
This Ministry’s OM No. 25/8/57-Ests.(A) dated 25.03.1957 may be treated as cancelled.