Dowry Complaint Format India

To,
The Station House Officer,
[Police Station Name],
[Address, City, State – PIN]

Copy to:
1. The Commissioner / Superintendent of Police, [City / District]
2. The Protection Officer under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence
   Act, 2005, [District]
3. The [State] Commission for Women, [Address]

Date: [DD/MM/YYYY]

Subject: Written complaint of dowry demand, harassment and cruelty – request for registration of FIR and immediate protection

Respected Sir / Madam,

I, [Your Full Name], daughter of [Father's Name], aged [Age] years, residing at
[Your Complete Address, City, State – PIN], most respectfully submit as follows.

1. That I was married to [Husband's Full Name], son of [Father-in-law's Name],
   residing at [Matrimonial Home Address], on [DD/MM/YYYY] at [Place of Marriage]
   according to [Hindu / Muslim / Christian / Special Marriage Act] rites. The
   marriage is registered vide Certificate No. [XXXX] dated [DD/MM/YYYY].

2. That at the time of the marriage, my parents gave [describe the cash, gold,
   household articles and other valuables given, with approximate values and
   dates], the particulars of which are set out in the annexed list.

3. PERSONS AGAINST WHOM THIS COMPLAINT IS MADE:
   (a) [Husband's Full Name] — husband
   (b) [Name] — [mother-in-law / father-in-law / other relative]
   (c) [Name] — [relationship]

4. That within [NN] months of the marriage, the above persons began making
   demands for additional dowry. The specific incidents are as follows:

   (a) On [DD/MM/YYYY] at [place], [name] demanded [Rs. [Amount] in cash / a car /
       gold ornaments] from my parents, saying [state what was said, as closely as
       you can recall].
   (b) On [DD/MM/YYYY] at [place], when the demand was not met, [describe what
       happened — the specific act, who did it, and who witnessed it].
   (c) On [DD/MM/YYYY], [describe the incident that caused you to make this
       complaint].

   [Record each incident separately, with the date, the place, the person
   responsible, what was said or done, and the names of any witnesses. Do not
   generalise — specific dated incidents are what an investigation can act on.]

5. That as a result of the above, I sustained [describe any physical injury and
   the medical treatment taken, with the hospital name, date and MLC number if
   any] and have suffered continuing mental cruelty.

6. That on [DD/MM/YYYY], I was [driven out of the matrimonial home / compelled to
   leave] and am presently residing at [address]. My stridhan and personal
   belongings, listed in the annexure, remain in the possession of the above
   persons.

7. That the acts described above constitute offences under the Dowry Prohibition
   Act, 1961 and the relevant provisions of the criminal law relating to cruelty
   to a married woman by her husband or his relatives, and also entitle me to
   reliefs under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005.
   [Check the applicable sections under the Bharatiya Nyaya
   Sanhita, 2023 and the current text of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961.]

8. PRAYER — I therefore request that:
   (a) An FIR be registered against the above-named persons and the matter be
       investigated in accordance with law;
   (b) My statement be recorded and appropriate protection be provided to me and
       to my family;
   (c) Steps be taken for the recovery of my stridhan and personal belongings
       listed in the annexure;
   (d) I be informed in writing of the FIR number and the action taken.

DOCUMENTS ENCLOSED:
1. Copy of the marriage certificate / wedding invitation and photographs
2. List of dowry articles and stridhan given, with valuations and receipts
3. Copies of messages, emails or call records evidencing the demands
4. Medical records / MLC, if any
5. Names and addresses of witnesses
6. Copy of my Aadhaar

Yours faithfully,

[Signature]
[Your Full Name]
Mobile: [+91 XXXXXXXXXX]
Email: [your@email.com]
Place: [City]

Note: You may also call the women's helpline 181 or the police helpline 112 for
immediate assistance. This is a drafting aid, not legal advice — a matter of this
nature should be placed before an advocate or a legal services authority, and
free legal aid is available through the District Legal Services Authority.