Bangalore, July 28 - As 25 women poured out their stories of pain, suffering and survival -- after being brutally harassed by their husbands and in-laws for dowry -- at a unique 'court' here Tuesday, activists demanded a stringent law to end the social menace.

Vimochana, the Asian Women's Rights Council (AWRC) and 40 other women's organisations came together to hold the India Court of Women on Dowry, called 'Daughters of Fire'.

The special court was summoned to hear cases of dowry related violence from across the country, and tried to bring a solution to the scourge of dowry in Indian society.

A series of roundtable discussions by experts on different aspects of the issue of dowry and related forms of violence were held Monday, as part of the two-day event that ended with the court session.

'As part of the court, we've invited 25 victims of dowry from across the country. The court session was an effort to bring to light the amount of violence and torture that victims of dowry have to go through. Moreover, the court got a first person account of the violence endured by victims,' Shakun, a senior member of Vimochana, told IANS.

A group of experts listened to the testimonies of victims.

'After the court session, we've come to the conclusion that more stringent laws are needed to end the dowry menace in the country,' said Shakun.

Nandini, a member of the NGO Jagori, said only tough laws could bring an end to the horrible episodes of dowry related violence in the country.

However, in spite of the Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961, perceived as 'stringent', the rising number of dowry related cases across the country indicates that it has hardly proved a deterrent.