In
Hindu societies such as
India or
Nepal, brides are burned alive if
dowry is insufficient. At least 5000 women die each year from
dowry murder, and the official cause of death is typically reported as a kitchen fire. The
UN estimates that as many as 25000 women may be killed each year. In most cases, the husband is not punished.
After payment of dowry, a Hindu wife can still be burnt at any time. If a husband accuses his wife of
infidelity, she must undergo a trial by fire. If she survives the fire, she is put to death because she will have suffered telltale burns that supposedly indicate her infidelity.
The historical practice of
Jauhar is a mass burning of all the wives and daughters in an entire town/district to prevent them from falling into the hands of enemies.