How to legally recover stridhan?

My sister was married in 2021 and passed away in 2024. During her lifetime, she filed a domestic violence and criminal complaint against her husband and in-laws. After her death, the civil matter has ended, but the criminal case is still pending. Her streedhan articles, including silver items, pooja items, and personal belongings, are still in the possession of her husband and his relatives. Some items are allegedly kept in a locker/safe, and some are with her husband’s sister. We also have video evidence regarding the safe. We have requested the return of the streedhan items multiple times, but they allegedly demanded that we withdraw the criminal case first. We filed an online police complaint and later sent a legal notice on behalf of my mother, who is one of the legal heirs. The notice was duly delivered, but no reply has been received. Considering that the husband is also a legal heir, what is the proper legal remedy and the correct court for recovery and accounting of the streedhan articles?

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Advocate By LEAD INDIA Answered: 14 May 2026

File a criminal complaint for recovery of streedhan as it is the exclusive property of your late sister. Approach the Magistrate under Bhartiya Nagrik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 to get FIR registered for criminal breach of trust against husband and in-laws. Also file a civil recovery suit in Civil Court as legal heirs are fully entitled to claim the property. For further legal assistance contact us on our helpline number.

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