Abstract Context: The unnatural deaths of newly married women, at present, are a burning problem of the society, increasing day by day. This has thrown a major challenge to the police personnel, medicolegal experts as well as to judicial officers not only to wipe out this social menace but also to penalize the culprits in deterrent manner. This study focuses to learn socioepidemiological profile of unnatural death of newly married women in Rajkot region. Aims: To evaluate unnatural deaths of newly married women in Rajkot region. Method and Materials: The present study was conducted on 153 cases of newly married female victims of unnatural death cases during year 2013 at Department of Forensic Medicine, P.D.U. Govt. Medical College & Hospital, Rajkot. All required information was collected by inquiring investigation officers and relatives of deceased and from postmortem findings. Results: Total 153 cases of unnatural death of newly married women with minimum age of 18 years and maximum age of 34 years. Maximum cases of unnatural death were found in age group of 23 to 26 years (39.87%). Maximum cases were found within first year of married life. Conclusion: Commonest reason for unnatural death of newly married women is dowry related harassment. Lower education in bride, lower income of husband and maladjustment of bride in new family are reasons for higher incidence of unnatural newly married female deaths. If responsible authorities focus on these factors while designing policy to deal with crime against women, incidences of unnatural death of newly married women will decrease.
Keywords: Unnatural Female Death; Newly Married Women; Burns; Crimes against Women.