Dowry Harassment and Domestic Abuse Case Registered in Meerut
In a distressing incident highlighting the persistent issue of dowry-related violence, police in Meerut have registered a case against four individuals, including a man and his mother, for allegedly harassing his wife over dowry and subjecting her to severe domestic abuse. The complaint was filed on Tuesday, bringing to light years of alleged torment endured by the victim.
Victim's Harrowing Account of Abuse
The case emerged after Fatma Naz, a 28-year-old resident of the Bakarganj area in Bareilly, lodged a formal complaint on Monday. She accused her husband, Mohd Aslam, his mother Najma, and other relatives, all residents of Delhi, of relentless cruelty. According to Fatma, since her marriage to Aslam five years ago, she has faced constant physical and mental torture from her husband and in-laws, primarily driven by dowry demands.
In her police statement, Fatma detailed escalating abuse, including a tragic incident three years ago where her newborn daughter died due to what she alleges was a deliberate lack of medical care, as her husband desired a son. The situation deteriorated further after the couple adopted a daughter two years ago. She claimed that her husband and mother-in-law frequently starved them and even attempted to kill the adopted child by strangulation.
Final Straw and Police Intervention
The ordeal reached a breaking point on January 6, when Fatma was allegedly beaten and forcibly thrown out of her home. "I did not get any help in Delhi, so I returned to my parents' house in Bareilly and approached the police, who initially asked me to compromise the matter," Fatma stated. Undeterred, she escalated her complaint to senior police officers, leading to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) at the women's police station upon her request.
Legal Action Under BNS and Dowry Act
Senior Superintendent of Police Anurag Arya confirmed the registration of the FIR against the four accused, including Aslam and Najma. The charges have been filed under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 85, which pertains to cruelty against a woman by her husband, and Section 115(2), for voluntarily causing hurt. Additionally, relevant sections of the Prohibition of Dowry Act have been invoked. "Investigations are ongoing, and appropriate action will be taken based on the findings," SSP Arya assured.
This case underscores the critical need for vigilance and prompt action in matters of domestic violence and dowry harassment, with authorities now actively pursuing the investigation to ensure justice for the victim.
