Chandkheda Woman Alleges Dowry Harassment by Husband, In-Laws

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A 31-year-old woman from Chandkheda has filed a police complaint accusing her husband, a drugs inspector based in Delhi, and four members of his family of prolonged physical and mental abuse, dowry harassment, and abandonment.

According to the complaint lodged at the Chandkheda police station, the woman married in February 2022 in a ceremony conducted as per community traditions. She stated that the relationship was initially cordial but deteriorated within a month of marriage.

The woman alleged that her husband, mother-in-law, father-in-law, and two other relatives began harassing her for household chores and demanding that she bring money from her parents. She claimed that her husband’s relatives regularly visited their home on weekends and instigated him against her.

“They would say that I should be sent back if I did not bring sufficient dowry,” she alleged in her statement. The complaint further claims that verbal abuse, physical assaults, and threats became a routine part of her married life.

She also accused her husband of abandoning her without financial support and failing to fulfill his marital responsibilities. The alleged harassment, she said, was both physical and mental, affecting her health and well-being.

Police have registered the case and are investigating the allegations. The charges include sections of the Indian Penal Code related to cruelty by a husband or his relatives and dowry-related offenses under the Dowry Prohibition Act.

Authorities have not disclosed whether any arrests have been made. Statements from the accused individuals or their legal representatives were not immediately available.

Dowry harassment remains a persistent issue in parts of India, despite legal prohibitions and ongoing public awareness campaigns. Under Indian law, demanding dowry or subjecting a woman to cruelty for failing to meet dowry demands is a punishable offense, carrying prison terms and fines.

The Chandkheda case adds to recent reports of domestic abuse and dowry-related violence being investigated in different states. While this incident does not involve police perpetration, it highlights the ongoing challenges faced by women subjected to coercive dowry demands and family pressure.

Investigators are expected to record additional witness statements and gather supporting evidence before submitting the case for judicial proceedings.