law: Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961
  2. Definition of ‘dowry’.-
  In this Act, "dowry" means any property
  
  or valuable security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly.
  
  
  1. By one party to a
  
  marriage to the other party to the marriage, or
  2. By the parent of
  
  either party to a marriage or by any other person, , to either party to the
  
  marriage or to any other person,
  At or before [(Note: Subs. by Act 43 of
  
  1986, sec.2) or any time after the marriage] [(Note: Subs. by Act 63 of
  
  1984, sec.2) in connection with the marriage of the said parties, but does
  
  not include] dower or mahr in the case or persons to whom the Muslim
  
  Personal Law (Shariat) applied.
  (Note: Explanation I omitted by act 63 of
  
  1984, sec.2).
  Explanation II- The expression
  
  "valuable security" has the same meaning as in section 30 of the
  
  Indian Penal Code (45 of 1860).
  Comment: “…even if the demand is long after the
  
  marriage the same could constitute dowry, if other requirements of the section
  
  are satisfied.” : State of  H.P v. Nikku Ram, AIR
  
  1996 SUPREME COURT 67