Farmer Allegedly Burns Wife with Heated Knife in Dowry-Related Brutality in Bareilly
A shocking case of dowry-related violence has emerged from Bareilly district, where a 32-year-old farmer is accused of using a heated knife to inflict severe burns on his 27-year-old wife. Police reported the incident on Saturday, detailing a horrific pattern of abuse allegedly driven by relentless dowry demands.
Marriage and Escalating Dowry Demands
The woman was married on May 21, 2021. According to her statement, her parents provided dowry within their financial means at the time of the wedding. However, her husband and in-laws allegedly continued to demand additional items, specifically a motorcycle and Rs 1 lakh in cash. She endured nearly two years of physical and mental harassment before seeking refuge at her parental home in Pilibhit and filing a case in a Bareilly family court.
False Compromise and Renewed Violence
Earlier this month, the husband brought her back to their home under the pretense of reaching a compromise. Tragically, the dowry demands resumed almost immediately. When she refused to comply, the abuse intensified. On February 16, in a particularly brutal assault, her mother-in-law and sister-in-law allegedly restrained her while her husband heated a knife on a stove and used it to burn her thighs and private parts.
Further Torture and Threats
The violence did not stop there. The following day, February 17, the husband, allegedly assisted by other family members, burned her throat with the same heated knife. She was threatened with death if she ever disclosed the abuse to anyone. This created an atmosphere of extreme fear and isolation for the victim.
Rescue and Legal Action
In a courageous move, the woman managed to contact her brother. He immediately alerted the authorities, and a Dial 112 police team swiftly intervened. They rescued her from the hostile environment and took her to her parents' house. She subsequently received necessary medical treatment for her severe burn injuries.
Sungarhi Station House Officer Naresh Kumar Tyagi confirmed that a formal case was registered on Friday evening. The complaint names the husband, his parents, and his siblings as accused. They have been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including:
- Section 85: Cruelty by husband or relatives of husband.
- Section 115(2): Voluntarily causing hurt.
- Section 351(3): Criminal intimidation.
- Section 118(1): Causing hurt by dangerous weapons or means, including fire or heated substance.
Additionally, provisions of the Dowry Prohibition Act have been invoked. SHO Tyagi stated that a thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway.
