Violence against women is a worldwide phenomenon. But the dowry-related violence -- manifest in its extreme, sordid, brutal form of "bride-burning" is peculiar perhaps to India alone. Using a sample of over 200 established cases from several districts of Uttar Pradesh, Dr Umar investigates the causes behind bride-burning, the emerging patterns of aggression against the young, often newly married women, and the socio-economic status of both the victims and the offenders -- together with an indepth review of the role of enforcement agencies in getting to grips with the malady that seems to have permeated almost all Indian communities.

Dr Mohd Umar holds Aligarh Muslim University''s Ph D in Law.

Partial Contents :

Introduction -- Theoretical Perspectives -- Causative Factors -- Patterns of Aggression Murder and Suicide -- Legal Aspects of Bride-Burning -- Role of Enforcement Agencies.