My in-laws kept my stridhan in Vellore, how do I recover it?

Detailed Legal Analysis

Stridhan is the absolute property of the wife under Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act 1960 and the relevant personal law. The Madras High Court has held that a wife has the right to recover her stridhan from her husband or in-laws.

In Vellore, you can file a criminal complaint for criminal breach of trust and a civil suit for recovery. The Madras High Court has directed that stridhan includes gifts received at marriage and cannot be withheld by the husband's family.

Under Tamil Nadu Rent Control Act 1960, the court can order return of stridhan with interest and compensation. You should make a list of items with bills and photographs for your claim in Vellore.