Newly-Wed Woman Found Hanging In In-Laws’ House In Odisha’ Dhenkanal, Dowry Torture Alleged

Dhenkanal: Less than 6 months after her marriage, a woman was found dead in her in-laws’ house with her parents alleging that she was a victim of dowry torture in Odisha’s Dhenkanal district.

According to sources, the woman, Saharika Mahakud of Bangurasingha village was married to Ratikant Bhutia of Podapada village under Motanga police limits in the district on July 7, 2021. At the time of marriage, Saharika’s family had given jewellery, household articles and cash to the groom’s family as dowry.

On Sunday, Saharika’s in-law family found her hanging from ceiling fan in her room of their house. On being informed, police reached the place and sent the body for post-mortem.

Saharika’s mother Jaharana Mahakud has alleged that her daughter’s in-laws were torturing her after the marriage for more dowry. They were inflicting electric shock on her.

However, soon after the marriage Ratikant and his family members allegedly started torturing Saharika demanding more dowry. On Sunday, when all were busy celebrating the New Year, Saharika was found hanging from a fan in the house. Her family members alleged that it was a pre-planned murder over dowry.

“When I had come to attend 21st day ceremony of Saharika’s son, I found the whole family abusing her. They have hanged her body after she died due to electric shock. I want justice for my daughter,” she was quoted as saying by a local TV channel.

But Saharika’s in-laws refuted the allegations with her mother-in-law Champa Butia saying that they were not torturing her and she hanged herself.

Meanwhile, the police have registered a dowry torture case on the basis of the complaint filed by the victim’s family. The cause of death would be ascertained after getting post-mortem report, said SDPO Suryamani Pradhan.