In this Act unless the context otherwise requires,-
(a) "appointed day" means the date notified under sub-section (3) of section 1;
(b) "to contract a marriage" means to solemnize or enter into a marriage in any form or manner;
(c) 'dowry' means any property (including cash) or valuabel security given or agreed to be given either directly or indirectly,-
(i) by one party to a marriage to the other party to the marriage; or
(ii) by the parents of either party to marriage or by any other person, to either party to the marriage or to any other person.
at or before or after the marriage as consideration for the marriage of the said parties, but does not include dower or mahr in the case of persons to whom the Muslim Personal Law (Shariat) applies.
Explanation.- (1) For the removal of doubts, it is hereby delcared that,-
(i) any presents made at, before or after a marriage in the form of cash, ornaments, clothes or other articles, the total value of which does not exceed five hundred rupees shall not be deemed to be dowry within the meaning of this section unless they are made as consideration for the marriage of the said parties;
(ii) any person financially assisting a boy, whether related to him or not, either in his education, business or otherwise with the intention of giving his daughter or any other relation in marriage to such boy shall be deemed to give and the boy so receiving such assistance shall be deemed to receive, dowry;
(2) The expression "valuable security" has the same meaning as in section 30 of Indian Penal Code;
(d) "expenses of marriage" in relation to a marriage means all expenses incurred in connection therewith by the parties to the marriage and the person celebrating it;
(e) "marriage" includes remarriage;
(f) "marriage tax" means the luxury marriage tax payable under section 12;
(g) "marriage tax officer" means the Luxury Marriage Tax Officer appointed under section 13;
(h) "memorandum" means a memorandum of marriage mentioned in section 5 and 6;
(i) "register" means a register of marriages maintained under this Act;
(j) "registrar" means a Registrar of Marriages appointed under section 4;
(k) "Registrar General" means the Rigistrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages appointed under any law for the time being in force relating to the registration of births, deaths and marriages.
CHAPTER II REGISTRATION OF MARRIAGE