In a disturbing incident highlighting the persistent issue of dowry-related violence in India, a newly married man in Uttar Pradesh has been accused of torturing his wife for dowry. The incident, reported from Bhadohi district, involves allegations of assault, including inflicting cigarette burns on the victim.

According to police reports, Pinky Saroj (24), filed a complaint against her husband, Sawan Chaudhary, along with his father, Lalit Narayan Chaudhary, and sister, Aarti. Pinky alleged that barely two days after their wedding on May 5, 2024, Sawan began demanding dowry. The demands included Rs 50,000 in cash, a television, a refrigerator, and a washing machine, all to be brought from her parental home.

The complaint further states that Sawan allegedly never consummated the marriage and regularly subjected Pinky to physical torture, including burning her with cigarettes, in an attempt to coerce her into fulfilling the dowry demands. Pinky also accused her father-in-law and sister-in-law of physically assaulting her.

Superintendent of Police (SP) in Bhadohi has confirmed the registration of the case and has issued orders for the immediate arrest of all the accused. The police have assured that strict action will be taken against those found guilty. This incident underscores the deeply entrenched social problem of dowry, despite being illegal for decades in India. The Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 prohibits the requesting, giving, and taking of dowry. However, the practice continues to plague Indian society, leading to various forms of violence and harassment against women.

This is not an isolated case, as recent months have seen a number of similar incidents reported across Uttar Pradesh. In one instance, a court in Ballia sentenced a man and five of his family members to life imprisonment for murdering his wife over dowry in December 2022. The woman was set ablaze using kerosene. In another case from Muzaffarnagar, a man was sentenced to 10 years in prison for strangulating his wife to death over dowry demands in February 2018.

These incidents highlight the urgent need for stricter enforcement of anti-dowry laws and greater societal awareness to eradicate this social evil. Activists and social workers emphasize the importance of education and economic empowerment of women as key factors in combating dowry-related violence. Furthermore, they advocate for community-based initiatives to challenge patriarchal norms and promote gender equality. The prevalence of dowry-related violence also raises questions about the effectiveness of existing legal frameworks and the need for reforms to ensure justice for victims.