What Is 'Streedhan', Which Supreme Court Held As Woman's Absolute Property

what is streedhan which supreme court held as woman’s absolute property

New Delhi: The Supreme Court has made it clear that only a woman has the absolute right over the ‘streedhan’. that she receives in form of gold, jewellery, and property among others, adding that the husband has no claim over it. The top court noted that the husband may use it in critical situations but the same has to be returned to the wife.

The court was hearing the plea of a woman who challenged the Kerala HC order staying Family Court order that stated that the husband and his mother misappropriated the woman’s gold jewellery. The apex court emphasised on the the concept of ‘Streedhan’ explaining who holds the right over it.

What Is ‘Streedhan’

A woman usually receives gifts before and during her marriage and at many times during the wedding ceremonies and at various stages of her life. This could be in form of jewellery, gold, silver, cash, gifts or movable and immovable properties.

These are also given to a woman during the birth of a child and her widowhood among other situations.

In the present case, the top court noted that the woman was gifted 89 sovereigns of gold by her family, which is apart from a sum of Rs. 2,00,000/- that her father gave to her husband. She alleged that after marriage, her husband and mother-in-law used those jewellery and money to pay off their debt.

In Hindu rituals, ‘Streedhan’ is a significance part of a newly wed woman’s journey as a wife and during other phases of her life. At each stage, the gifts represent blessings and good wishes for the woman and she is always advised to keep her ‘Streedhan’ safe which could be put to use in case of distress for her family or for herself.

However, the court noted that irrespective of the usage of the ‘Streedhan’ as it may be decided by the woman or her family, it is only she who enjoys an ‘absolute right’ over it.