Dowry harassment can sometimes be so severe and cruel that women have often committed suicide to escape the situation. In such situations it is only fair and just that the husband and his parents or other relatives who were harassing the woman for dowry should be held responsible for her suicide.

For this there is a special offence known as abetment of suicide. When there is severe harassment for dowry to the extent that the woman is pushed to commit suicide, then the husband and his parents can be held guilty of abetment to suicide.