Indian report says 1 woman dies every hour in disputes over dowry payments

NEW DELHI – An Indian report says a woman dies every hour in disputes over how much her family has paid in dowry to the groom for her marriage.

The National Crime Records Bureau says more than 8,200 women were killed across India in such crimes last year even though Indian law prohibits the centuries-old custom of giving or receiving dowries.

Women's rights activists say dowry demands have risen with India's economic growth.

At the same time, thousands of Indian women are killed, often doused in gasoline and burned to death, because the groom or his family felt the dowry was inadequate.

Activists and police said Tuesday that loopholes in dowry prevention laws, delays in prosecution and low conviction rates have led to a steady rise in dowry related crimes.