In a case of domestic violence of Bride burning a notorious husband and his mother killed a nineteen year old wife for dowry. They were arrested on February 9, 2009 based on the woman's dying declaration, police said. These people were sentenced on Tuesday at Madurai to life imprisonment by a women's court. The prosecution had charged them that they had killed 19 year old wife two years back for dowry, and sentenced them to life plus two years more.

Judge R Tharani sentenced both of them to life and an additional two years for dowry harassment. They were also slapped a fine of Rs 5,000 each. The prosecution case was that Balamurugan (25) and his mother had constantly harassed his wife for dowry after their marriage in 2008. Though the woman had gone back to her parent’s house several times, her mother had prevailed on her to return. 
On February 9 2009, the woman's mother got information that her daughter had set herself ablaze. She filed a complaint, following which they were arrested the same day, police said.

Experts point out that bride burning has been recognized as an important domestic violence problem in India. They say that it is a historical and cultural issue accounting for around 600-750 deaths per year in India alone. They feel Bride-burning could be eliminated if an increase in the standard of education for women, which will encourage economic and emotional independence; proper implementation of existing laws along with new, stricter legislation to abolish dowry related crimes; and the establishment of voluntary associations to decrease the importance of dowries in general. Community-level programs are essential, and must include doctors, who bear special responsibilities to help change the social milieu in which this phenomenon occurs.